Trade Schools & Training Programs

The information contained on this page is offered as a convenience to the reader and is for informational purposes only. This page does not constitute an endorsement or approval by MDHSA of any of the products, services or opinions of the schools or programs in question.


ABC (Associated Builders & Contractors)
ABC is a national construction industry trade association which represents all specialties within the U.S. construction industry. Part of its purpose is to develop skilled workers for the industry. To accomplish that mission, they offer a Craft Training & Apprenticeship Program (a combination of on-the job training and classroom hours) through their local chapters in each state. Contact your local chapter to find out more. (If you are located in Franklin County, the Barr Construction Institute in Hagerstown, MD, houses the local ABC Chapter. Click here to see a short video about their program.)

Penn State Butcher School (paid apprenticeship program)
Intensive, hands-on training program for butchers. The program is competitive, only a few applicants are accepted each term. For more information read these articles:
Penn State Butcher School seeks applicants for 2nd session, starting in January (2022)
Penn State to Start Butcher School
PSU Extension creates Butcher apprenticeship, currently looking for applicants (includes video)

Pennsylvania College of Technology
Penn College is located in Williamsport, PA, and offers a hands-on technical education in 100+ academic degree programs taught by skilled faculty with real-world experience. Students can earn Bachelor’s Degrees, Associate’s Degrees, or Certificates depending on their choice of program. Click here to visit their YouTube channel to learn more about their programs.

PIA (Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics)
PIA offers specialized Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) and Aviation Electronics Technology (AET) programs to prepare its students to enter the workforce in aviation maintenance, electronics, and other related fields. The programs range from 16 months  to 21 months depending on the program you choose. PIA has campuses in Pittsburgh, PA; Hagerstown, MD; Youngstown, OH; and Myrtle Beach, SC. Contact individual campuses to see which programs are offered there.
Video: PIA High School Presentation – Hagerstown Campus
Video: Tour of PIA Hagerstown Campus

Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology
Pennsylvania’s only state-owned two-year college of technology, Thaddeus Stevens College, located in Lancaster, is a premier, residential, and accredited college open to residents of Pennsylvania. Thaddeus Stevens offers 24 high-skill, high-wage technical programs which prepare students for skilled employment. It has a 96% placement rate with 12+ job opportunities on average per graduate. Click here to visit their YouTube channel which features overviews of their programs and a virtual open house.

Triangle Tech
Triangle Tech offers post-high school 16-month Associate Degree programs with job placement in Computer-Aided Drafting and Design; Carpentry and Construction; Maintenance Electricity and Construction; Refrigeration, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning and Welding and Fabrication. They also offer an 8-month Industrial and Structural Welding Diploma Program.  They have campuses in Chambersburg, Pittsburgh, Greensburg, DuBois, Sunbury and Bethlehem. Contact the campus nearest you to learn more about the Associate Degree programs it offers. Click here to watch a video overview of their programs.

YTI Career Institute
YTI has campuses in Lancaster, York, and Altoona, PA, and offers training programs taught by qualified instructors direct from the fields of business, computers, criminal justice, culinary arts, medical, and the trades. Click here to visit their YouTube channel which features overviews of their programs.