Best Trade & Tech Schools inWest Virginia

Top Trade and Tech Schools in West Virginia

If you have decided the traditional four-year degree is not for you and that there are many types of trade schools from which you may choose, you are in the right place.

We have gathered useful information related to tuition, accreditation, and programs of the top ten vocational schools in West Virginia, to make your selection process easier.


Pierpont Community & Technical College

Pierpont Community & Technical College is proud to be accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Enrollment: The enrollment process consists of a few steps.

What you need to do is complete the application, by following the instructions, is you are 17 or older.

There is no application fee.

If you are in need of financial support, you can apply for financial aid, by filling out an application called the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Then, you are supposed to send your high school transcripts to:

Pierpont Community & Technical College
Office of Admissions
1201 Locust Avenue
Fairmont, WV 26554

Last, but not least, you will have to take your placement test and you are ready to register for classes either online or in-person at our Enrollment Services Center.

Courses Offered:

Among so many programs offered, these are a few to mention:

  • AMSL/Interpreter Education Program
  • Applied Design: Design Specialist
  • Applied Design: Fashion Design and Merchandising
  • Aviation Maintenance Technology
  • Board of Governors
  • Business: Accounting,
  • Business: Business Management
  • Criminal Justice,
  • Drafting / Design Engineering Technology
  • Early Childhood,
  • Electric Utility Technician: Line Worker (PSI)
  • Electric Utility Technician: Substation Electrician (PSI)
  • Emergency Medical Services
  • Food Service Management: Culinary Arts
  • Food Service Management: Resort & Hotel Management
  • Graphics Technology
  • Health Information Technology
  • Health Sciences
  • Information Systems Technology: Cyber Security
  • Information Systems Technology: Systems Specialist
  • Liberal Studies: WVU-BA Pathways
  • Medical Laboratory Technology
  • Occupational Development: Early Childhood Practitioner,
  • Paralegal Studies
  • Petroleum Technology
  • Physical Therapist Assistant
  • Radiologic Technology: Technical Studies
  • Respiratory Care,
  • Veterinary Technology,

Contact Information:

  • Pierpont Community & Technical College
  • Address: 1201 Locust Ave, Fairmont, WV 26554
  • Phone: +1 304-367-4907
  • Web: https://www.pierpont.edu

Carver Career and Technical Education Center

Carver Career and Technical Education Center is accredited under COE.

Enrollment: The entrance requirements vary by program, but you should know that all adult students must take the TABE test.

Furthermore, you need to possess an original High School Diploma, GED, or TASC.

Males who are between the ages of 18 and 26 must also verify that they are in compliance with the Selective Service Act.

By visiting the program page, you will get the information about program-specific requirements or you can contact the instructor for more information.

You will have to provide a Selective Service card number if you are male and under age 26 and a photo ID.

Fees: There is a $35 registration fee for 1-year programs and $55 registration fee for 2-year programs that has to be paid.

All students will pay the $100.00 application fee.

Courses Offered:

  • Barbering Apprenticeship
  • HVAC Technician
  • Cosmetology
  • Respiratory Therapy
  • Culinary Arts
  • Surgical Technology
  • Microsoft Computer Applications Specialist
  • Electrical Technician
  • Veterinary Technology
  • Paralegal Assistant

Contact Information:


Ben Franklin Career Center

Ben Franklin Career Center programs are accredited by the Council on Occupational Education and approved by the West Virginia Department of Education, West Virginia Board of Education, Kanawha County Board of Education, the West Virginia Department of Employment Security, Vocational Rehabilitation, Job Corps, Veteran’s Administration, and Workers Compensation.

Enrollment: So as to apply for this center, all prospective students must submit a completed application and complete the FAFSA if they need financial aid.

Furthermore, they need to submit a copy of a driver’s license and high school diploma or GED/TASC to Financial Aid office.
Take the TABE test of basic skills and an interview with the instructor of the requested class are also parts of the application process.

All requirements and documents should be sent to Diana Wood via email dpwood@mail.kana.k12.wv.us, fax: (304) 766-0371 or mail to the following address:

​Diana Wood
​Ben Franklin Career Center
500 28th Street
​Dunbar, WV  25064

Fees: You are supposed to pay a $25 non-refundable registration fee.

Courses Offered:

  • Heavy Equipment Operations and Preventative Maintenance
  • Diesel Technology (Blended Program)
  • ​HVAC (Blended Program)
  • Electrical Technician​
  • Surgical Technology
  • Welding

Contact Information:


Monongalia County Technical Education Center

The Monongalia County Technical Education Center is accredited by the following agencies:
Monongalia County Board of Education
West Virginia Department of Education
Council on Occupational Education (COE), Candidate
West Virginia State Board of Examiners for Licensed Practical Nurses
CAAHEP in cooperation with the ARC-ST accreditation for Surgical Technology

Enrollment: If you are interested in health programs, you must make an application through the Health Occupations Coordinator.

Students must have a high school transcript with an official seal or GED, TASC or HiSet equivalency diploma and pass an entrance exam.

They will be interviewed by the Health Occupations Coordinator prior to being considered for admission.

You will have to pass a criminal background check, possess an American Heart Association CPR and First Aid Healthcare Provider card(s) and pass a random drug/alcohol screen.

Other programs have their own enrollment requirements and you can find out more about them in the catalog available on the official website.

Fees: Student must pay a $50 deposit upon registration which will be refunded.

Tuition is subject to change and it differs from program to program

Courses Offered:

  • Automotive Technology
  • Building Maintenance & Operations
  • Carpentry
  • Coding, App & Game Design
  • Dental Assistant
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Careers in Education
  • Electrical Technician
  • Energy, Power and Engineered Systems
  • Graphic Design
  • HVAC Technician
  • Law & Public Safety
  • Pharmacy Technician
  • Practical Nurse
  • Pre-PN/Medical Assistant
  • ProStart Restaurant Management
  • Surgical Technology
  • Welding

Contact Information:


Fred W Eberle Technical Center

Fred W. Eberle Technical Center is accredited by the Commission on Occupational Education.

Enrollment: Fred W. Eberle Technical Center accepts students throughout North Central West Virginia.

High school students in Upshur, Barbour, and Lewis Counties can spend up to two years at Fred W. Eberle Technical Center.

The application form can be found on the official website or you can contact the center to find out how to apply.

Individuals interested in enrolling in must possess a high school diploma or equivalency and pass instructor interviews.

To qualify, a student must:
• Be a U.S. citizen or other eligible noncitizen.
• Be a high school graduate or have earned a GED.

You are supposed to complete the application form and send it with the application fee to

Fred W. Eberle School of Practical Nursing
208 Morton Ave.
Buckhannon, WV 26201

Fees: There is a non-refundable $35 application fee.

Courses Offered:

  • Automotive Technology
  • Carpentry
  • Collison Repair
  • Computer Systems Repair
  • CISCO Networking Academy
  • Cosmetology
  • Diesel Technology
  • Electrical Technology
  • Therapeutic Services
  • Practical Nursing
  • Truck Driving
  • Welding Technology

Contact Information:

  • Fred W Eberle Technical Center
  • Address: 208 Morton Ave, Buckhannon, WV 26201
  • Phone: +1 304-472-1259
  • Web: https://fetc.edu/

James Rumsey Technical Institute

Enrollment: The only way of being accepted in the institute is to meet the requirements set by the admission staff.

The prospective students must be 18 years old and have a high school diploma or WV-accepted equivalency diploma.

Furthermore, students must be in good health, able to lift forty pounds, bend, and stand on concrete floors for up to six hours a day.

Each program has certain eligibility requirements which you can get familiar with through the institute’s catalog.

The admission process starts with taking the TABE test and filling out an application form.

A copy of your driving record must be submitted with the application.

If you need financial support, you should complete your application for Federal Student Aid.

The last step is meeting with the instructor for an interview.

Once your application is reviewed, the instructor will contact you to inform you if you have met the requirements and have been accepted into the program.

Fees:

Courses Offered:

  • CULINARY ARTS
  • CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT
  • MASSAGE THERAPY
  • PRACTICAL NURSING
  • SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY
  • ELECTRICAL TECHNICIAN
  • ELECTROMECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY
  • HVAC/R
  • AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY
  • TRUCK DRIVING

Contact Information:

  • James Rumsey Technical Institute
  • Address: 3274 Hedgesville Rd, Martinsburg, WV 25401
  • Phone: +1 304-754-7925
  • Web: https://www.jamesrumsey.com

Putnam Career & Technical Center

Putnam Career & Technical Center (PCTC) is accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education.

Enrollment: The application forms differ from program to program.

You are supposed to find the appropriate application, print and complete it.

Once completed, you should mail it to

Putnam Career & Technical Center
Attn: Amber Midkiff, LPN Secretary
P.O. Box 640,
Eleanor, WV 25070

The application deadline is May 1st.

You need to provide high school or GED test scores or college transcripts.

Transcripts must be sent by the school.

Certain programs might have additional eligibility and enrollment requirements such as pre-entrance testing, physical exams, vaccinations, driver’s license, etc.

Fees: There is a non-refundable $85.00 application and pre-admission assessment fee.

Courses Offered:

  • Automotive Technology
  • Cisco Networking Academics
  • Masonry
  • Electrical Technician
  • Carpentry
  • HVAC
  • Welding
  • Plumbing
  • Diesel Equipment Technology
  • Collision Repair Technology
  • Dental Assisting / Allied Health Sciences
  • Graphic Design
  • Dental Lab
  • Technician
  • Drafting
  • Practical Nursing
  • Emergency
  • ​Medical Technician
  • Direct Care Worker
  • Patient Care​
  • Technician

Contact Information:

  • Putnam Career & Technical Center
  • Address: 300 Roosevelt Blvd, Eleanor, WV 25070
  • Phone: +1 304-586-3494
  • Web: http://www.pctc.edu

Ross Medical Education Center

The Ross Medical Education Center is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.

Enrollment: Each Student has to complete the evaluation through the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam.

Students must have graduated from a valid high school or must have completed a recognized equivalent (GED).

The Dental Assistant and Pharmacy Technician Program requires that students must be 18 years of age, while the Pharmacy Technician Program students must also pass a required background check.

Fees: You should know that every program has its own tuition costs and they are the following.

  • Medical Assistant – $15,990.00
  • Medical Insurance Billing and Office Administration – $15,990.00
  • Dental Assistant – $15,990.00
  • Pharmacy Technician – $14,990.00
  • Veterinary Assistant $14,200.00
  • The Medical Assistant Specialist Associate of Applied Science program, the Dental Assistant Specialist Associate of Applied Science program and the Medical Insurance Billing and Office Administration Specialist Associate of Applied Science – $10,950.00.

Courses Offered:

  • Medical Assistant
  • Medical Insurance Billing and Office Administration
  • Dental Assistant
  • Pharmacy Technician
  • Nursing Assistant
  • Occupational Therapy Assistant
  • Nursing
  • Practical Nursing
  • Veterinary Assistant
  • Veterinary Technician
  • Human, Social, and Health Services
  • Health Administrative Services
  • Medical Office Management
  • Medical Billing Administrative Specialist

Contact Information:

  • Ross Medical Education Center
  • Address: 5707 MacCorkle Ave SE #20, Charleston, WV 25304
  • Phone: +1 304-925-5645
  • Web: https://rosseducation.edu/campus/wv/charleston.php

Garnet Career Center

Garnet Career Center is fully accredited through the Council on Occupational Education (COE) and was previously accredited by North Central.

Enrollment: The way of applying is by completing the application form completely and then call for an appointment with the Admissions Counselor.

You need to bring with yourself when coming to the meeting the application, high school transcript or diploma or GED report of scores, copy of current Health Insurance card, copy of CPR card if applicable, and photo I.D.

If you are applying for Auto Tech programs, you need to possess a copy of the WV Driver’s License.

All applicants must take a pre-entrance assessment test, either TABE test for Automotive Technology, Business Education Programs, and Phlebotomy or TEAS test for LPN programs.

Acceptance is based on test scores.

Fees: There is the application fee which differs from program to program, ranging from $30 for phlebotomy course to $100.00 for Administrative & Business Support course.

Tuition costs also vary and are subject to change without notice.

Courses Offered:

  • Automotive Technology
  • Business Education
  • Practical Nursing
  • Phlebotomy Technician
  • Administrative & Business Support
  • Accounting

Contact Information:

  • Garnet Career Center
  • Address: 422 Dickinson St, Charleston, WV 25301
  • Phone: +1 304-348-6195
  • Web: http://garnet.edu

Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College

Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Enrollment: The beginning of the admission process consists of applying online, or downloading an application which can be found on the official website.

If you need assistance with the application process, you should contact the admission office and the admission representative will answer all your questions and guide you through the application procedure.

You are supposed to provide additional documentation including Final High School Transcript, Official College/University Transcript, GED Scores and Transient Form.

People who are eighteen years of age or older, but do not have a high school diploma or General Educational Development or TASC may be admitted and enrolled in classes on a conditional basis.

Courses Offered:

These are just a few of the courses offered:

  • Business Accounting
  • Business Administration
  • Criminal Justice
  • Early Childhood Development
  • Electrical Engineering Technology
  • Health Care Professional
  • Health Information Management Information Technology
  • Management
  • Mechatronics
  • Medical Assisting
  • Medical Laboratory Technology
  • Nursing
  • Occupational Development
  • Office Administration
  • Paramedic Science
  • Radiologic Technology
  • Respiratory Care Technology
  • Salon Management/Cosmetology
  • Strategic Business Integration
  • Surgical Technology
  • Technical Studies
  • Welding Technology

Contact Information:

  • Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College
  • Address: 1601 Co Hwy 52/27, Williamson, WV 25661
  • Phone: +1 304-235-6046
  • Web: https://www.southernwv.edu

Trade Schools in West Virginia by City


Final Thoughts

So, if you are graduating from high school and you have decided what your career goal will be, you should choose a trade school.

Whatever of these schools you pick, you will not regret your choice.

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