Trade & Vocational Schools In Illinois
Illinois is a fantastic place to explore career opportunities, especially if you’re considering trade schools and blue-collar jobs. As someone who has lived here for years, I’ve seen firsthand the demand for skilled workers across the state. With unemployment holding steady at 5.3% in late 2024, there’s a growing need for talent in industries like manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and logistics. The state recently became one of only 10 in the U.S. to raise its minimum wage to $15 an hour, offering a solid foundation for workers entering the job market.
Illinois employers are also embracing pay transparency, with new laws requiring salary and benefit details in job postings—a game changer for job seekers. Whether you’re drawn to Chicago’s bustling metro area or the quieter opportunities in the suburbs and rural towns, there’s a role waiting for you. Ready to take the next step? Explore trade schools and programs to kickstart your career in Illinois today!
APC Crane Training
Location: VariousPrograms Offered:
Heavy Equipment Operator Trade SchoolsSchool Details
APC Crane training offers classroom and field training in classrooms across the country in a variety of cities. They only offer training and certification for crane operators. Courses include aerial lift, forklift, mobile crane operator, overhead crane training, rigging, and signalperson.
ETI School of Skilled Trades - Estimated Cost: $25,209.00
Location: IllinoisGem City College
Location: IllinoisSchool Details
Gem City College offers programs in cosmetology and horology.
The horology programs include clock repair and watchmaking. They also offer jewelry design and college press courses under this program. The cosmetology program includes hairdressing and training to become a cosmetology teacher.
HVAC Technical Institute - Estimated Cost: $22,724.00
Location: IllinoisInternational Union of Operating Engineers - Estimated Cost: NA
Location: VariousPrograms Offered:
Heavy Equipment Operator Trade SchoolsSchool Details
With over 1,000 instructors and many locations throughout the United States and Canada, IUOE is a great choice for learning how to handle heavy duty equipment. Each location offers different types of opportunities for training and apprenticeships. Classroom instruction, simulators, and working onsite with an experienced journeyman are all parts of the training you will receive.
No data is available for costs, you will need to contact the school to get more information.
Lincoln Technical Institute - Estimated Cost: $31,847.00
Location: VariousPrograms Offered:
Automotive Trade Schools, Cosmetology Trade Schools, Culinary Trade Schools, Diesel Mechanic Trade School, Electrician Trade Schools, Heavy Equipment Technician, HVAC/R Trade Schools, Machinist Trade Schools, Medical & Nursing Trade Schools, Welding Trade SchoolsSchool Details
Lincoln Technical Institute has campuses across the United States. Each location offers different programs, so be sure to check the location to make sure the program is available at the location you are interested in.
Morton College - Estimated Cost: $6,382
Location: IllinoisUniversal Technical Institute - Estimated Cost: $23,474.00
Location: CaliforniaPrograms Offered:
Automotive Trade Schools, Diesel Mechanic Trade School, Welding Trade Schools, Wind Turbine Technician Trade SchoolsSchool Details
Universal Technical Institute has several locations across the United States. Each location offers programs in different trade skills which include automotive, welding, motorcycle, and even Nascar! Visit their main website to find the location and program that is right for you!
School data shown on this listing is for the Southern California location.
