Answer five quick questions
What kind of work you'd like, how far you got in school, and where to reach you. No essays. No test scores. About two minutes.
Today
Your exit
Work ahead. Good pay. No degree needed. Most training takes months, not years.
Free · About 2 minutes · No college required
Find a school near you that trains you for a real job.
Tell us what kind of work sounds good. We'll show you schools near you that teach it, how long it takes, what the job pays, and how people pay for the training. Many pay little or nothing out of pocket.
- Most programs take 4 weeks to 2 years. Not 4 years.
- You learn by doing, not by sitting in lectures.
- Grants, aid, and paid apprenticeships can cover the cost.
- Nobody will pressure you. You pick the school, or none.
You are here. A better job is one short form away.
4 wk–2 yrHow long most training programs take
$0–$20KTypical cost, before grants and aid
$45K–$65KTypical yearly pay in many trades after a few years
Hiring nowElectricians, HVAC techs, welders, drivers, and medical assistants are all in demand
Pick a direction
Jobs you can train for fast
Each one has its own page: what the work is like, how long school takes, what it costs, and what it pays. Tap one to read more, or go straight to the form.
Electrician
School9–12 months, or a paid apprenticeship
Typical payAbout $62,000
The workWiring homes and buildings
HVAC
School6–12 months
Typical payAbout $60,000
The workHeating and air conditioning
Welding
School7–9 months
Typical payAbout $51,000
The workJoining metal for buildings, pipelines, ships
Plumbing
School1 year, or a paid apprenticeship
Typical payAbout $63,000
The workWater, gas, and drain systems
Truck driving
School3–7 weeks for a CDL
Typical payAbout $57,000
The workLocal or long-haul hauling
Medical assistant
School9–12 months
Typical payAbout $44,000
The workClinics and doctors' offices
Dental assistant
School9–12 months
Typical payAbout $47,000
The workDental offices, daytime hours
Auto & diesel
School6 months–2 years
Typical payAbout $50,000; diesel about $61,000
The workFixing cars, trucks, and heavy equipment
Pay shown is the U.S. median for people in the job (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024), rounded. Starting pay is lower. Pay in your area may be higher or lower.
Two roads
College isn't the only way to a good job.
Road A
Four-year college
- Time
- 4 to 6 years
- Cost
- $40,000 to $150,000+Before interest on loans
- Paid while learning?
- No
- Then
- Entry-level jobOften paying back loans for 10 to 20 years
Road B
Trade school or apprenticeship
- Time
- 4 weeks to 2 years
- Cost
- $0 to $20,000Grants and aid often cover most of it. Apprenticeships are free.
- Paid while learning?
- Often, yesApprentices earn a paycheck from day one
- Then
- Working in monthsPay goes up as you gain skills and licenses
College is the right road for some people. If it's right for you, take it. This site is for everyone else: people who want to earn a good living soon, without a mountain of debt.
How it works
Three stops. The first one is this page.
Schools near you reach out
One or more schools that teach what you picked will call, text, or email you. Ask them anything: cost, schedule, how long, job help after. You don't owe them anything.
Usually within a dayPick one, or none
Visit the school if you can. Ask about financial aid before you sign anything. If it feels right, enroll. If not, walk away. Your call.
Your pacePaying for it
Most people don't pay the full price.
This is the part people worry about most, so here it is in plain words. Ask every school about all of these.
Free money
Pell Grants
Federal grants for people with lower income. Up to about $7,400 a year. You don't pay it back. Apply with the FAFSA form (free, online).
Free training
WIOA job training
Your state's workforce office can pay for training in high-demand jobs if you qualify. Ask at your local American Job Center.
Paid to learn
Apprenticeships
You work for a company, earn a paycheck, and learn the trade on the job plus classes. Common for electricians, plumbers, and carpenters. No tuition.
Veterans
GI Bill
If you served, the GI Bill can cover trade school, CDL school, and apprenticeships, plus a housing allowance while you train.
State help
State grants and scholarships
Many states pay for community college or trade school in jobs they need filled. Your city page lists the ones in your state.
Spread it out
Payment plans
Most schools let you pay monthly while you attend. Some employers will pay for your training if you agree to work for them after.
One rule before you sign anything: ask the school to put the total cost in writing, and ask what happens if you stop halfway. A good school will answer both without hesitation.
Schools near you
Pick your city
Each city page shows what training is nearby, which jobs are hiring there, and what your state will help pay for.
Kansas City, MO Missouri
St. Louis, MO Missouri
Springfield, MO Missouri
Wichita, KS Kansas
Beckley, WV West Virginia
Charleston, WV West Virginia
Columbus, OH Ohio
Dayton, OH Ohio
Houston, TX Texas
San Antonio, TX Texas
Tampa, FL Florida
Memphis, TN Tennessee
We don't have a page for that yet. See every state, or fill out the form and we'll match you by ZIP code.
Questions
Things people ask first
Does this cost anything?
No. Using this site is free. The schools pay us when you ask for information from them. You never pay us, and the school's price is the same as if you walked in off the street.
Do I need a high school diploma or GED?
Most programs ask for one. Some will help you get your GED first, or at the same time. If you don't have one, tell us on the form and we'll include schools that can help.
I'm 35, 45, 55. Am I too old for this?
No. Trade schools are full of adults changing careers. Many programs run at night or on weekends so you can keep your current job while you train.
Will someone pressure me to sign up?
Schools will call or email because you asked them to. They want you to enroll, so expect a sales pitch. You can say no, ask for time, or stop answering. If a school pushes too hard, tell us and we'll remove them.
How do I know a school is legit?
Ask three things: Is it accredited? Can it show job placement numbers for the last year? Will it put the total cost in writing? If the answer to any of those is a dodge, keep looking. Public community colleges are a safe bet almost everywhere.
What if I can't decide what I want to do?
Pick "Not sure yet" on the form. You'll hear from schools that offer several programs and can walk you through them. Reading two or three career pages on this site helps too.
Your exit is right here.
Five questions. Two minutes. Then schools near you take it from there.