Located in Parkersburg, West Virginia Carpenter offers an apprenticeship program for carpenters or millwrights. As an apprentice, you learn while you work at the training center and you also get paid a wage, you do not pay for tuition. The carpenter apprenticeship program is four years. You are trained in all aspects of carpentry. The millwright apprenticeship will be for 10,000 hours consisting of on the job training and classroom. You will need to pass a qualifying math test and mechanical aptitude test before being accepted for interview for the millwright program. You will also have to pass the physical examination and substance abuse test.
The academy, in Beckley, is a school for high school students preparing for postsecondary education or work, and for adults looking to improve existing skills or learn new trades. There are full-time or part-time courses available days, evenings or weekends. Financial aid is also available for those who qualify. A General Education Diploma (GED) is required for some subjects. Programs offered include automotive technology, criminal justice, dental assisting, electrical technology, general building trades, marketing, masonry, medical assisting, welding, computer and other technology courses. These all offer recognized professional certificates or degrees.
The focus of the Ben Franklin Career Center in Dunbar is to prepare students for careers in the modern work environment. It offers courses for secondary students and adults. All applicants are required to have a high school diploma. Professional qualifications are offered for a variety of courses under the headings of computer technology, health/child care and technical/trade. Many of the programs are two years, part-time and tuition costs range from $1,350 for a nine-month course to $1,650 for eleven months. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.
Other opportunities to learn trades are offered by places such as Carver Career & Technical Center that offers a diverse program in subjects such as automotive technology, business technology, plumbing technology, veterinarian technician, drafting, cosmetology and a lot more. Mountain State School of Massage is an accredited school offering massage therapy programs. Clarksburg Beauty Academy offers courses in cosmetology, nail technology and massage therapy. Garnet Career Center has programs on nursing, automotive technology and business education.
Most State colleges also offer vocational (trade) courses evenings, weekends or during the day. West Virginia has many colleges to chose from, offering a large variety of courses in most subject matters.