For many students, high schools represent the first opportunity to learn a trade. Programs vary from state to state and region to region, but generally they integrate classroom and practical trades training with the standard prerequisites for a high school diploma. In Connecticut's system, for example, the construction-related topics taught in vocational high schools include plumbing; masonry; carpentry; electrical; drafting; and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Credits may be carried over to community colleges or universities.
Every state has vocational and technical schools to equip students for the workplace. Course offerings will vary as local economies experience higher or lower demand for specific trades, but construction is generally well represented. In Arizona, for example, the Maricopa Community College system offers construction trades courses at eight of its 10 campuses scattered throughout Maricopa County. Programs offered for vocational certificates and associate's degrees include architectural technology, HVAC systems, plumbing, roofing, and construction management.
Independent private vocational schools provide a good percentage of tradesperson training. Many are built around a single specialty, while others are large and well-funded enough to compete directly with traditional community colleges. Quality private schools are accredited by the same bodies, and the level of instruction is similar. Pennsylvania's Triangle Tech, for example, is a licensed and accredited private chain with six campuses across the state. Its diploma and associate's degree programs include carpentry, electricity, HVAC, and computer-assisted drafting.
The oldest form of vocational training is learning on the job. In modern apprenticeships, students combine classroom instruction with hands-on mentoring from an experienced tradesman. These programs are generally administered by trade unions. The International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Crafts, for example, offers apprenticeships in each region of the country through its locals. The union also has its own central trade school, the John J. Flynn Training Center, in Bowie, Maryland.