Does anyone know any trade schools that are not prone to being randomly shut down?

2017-10-18T16:20:04-04:00

I went to ITT Tech before and during the shut down. The government shut down ITT for some retarded reason, and screwed over a LOT of soldiers.
More recently, I was enrolled for an HVAC school called Retail Ready Career Center. Before I even started (thank God) it was shut down in the same fashion. I am sick and tired of going to trade schools that get shut down by the government, leaving us vets blowing in the wind.
I would go to a public university/college, but I don't feel like wasting my post 9/11 GI bill just to go to classes where I am shamed for being a straight, white, conservative male.
I live in California and have no money to move to another state, so I have to go to school here. What, if any, trade schools are there that won't be shut down in this state? At this point I don't care what trade I go into, so long as I can save my BAH in order to move out of this state and get a job in the state that I move to.
I literally cannot land a job in California and when I do, I am laid off 6 months later. Needless to say, CA is screwed; and I am screwed unless I pull the ejection lever ASAP. The only way I can do that is by living with my parents, going to school (no jobs I can get will pay enough, and if they do, CA taxes me silly), saving my BAH and moving to another state (preferably Texas). But when I get to another state, I want to be able to have a skilled trade which is needed and will be needed in the future (not automated).
I would be okay with trying to go the IT route again, but from my research I have found that IT employers constantly look for the perfect employee who can fart C++ and micro-solder in his sleep; of course, I haven't searched for IT work outside CA, perhaps it is just this state.
I apologize for going off on a bit of a rant there, I just have a lot of questions and almost no answers. Any help is much appreciated.

Response by LTC Marc King made Oct 18 at 2017 4:26 PM

2017-10-18T16:26:55-04:00

US Military Academy, US Naval Academy and the US Air Force Academy... but I'm not really sure about the Air Force Academy!

Response by CA Delete D. made Oct 18 at 2017 4:32 PM

2017-10-18T16:32:00-04:00

I found a local trucking school in Philly - finished 8 week course in 6 weeks on gibill (though BAH was short-lived). License in hand a week later, and was in a company-paid rental car on way to Iowa for 2 week orientation (they covered the hotel and some meals). Most of the big trucking companies (check before applying) are gibill approved, where you can collect up to 6 months of BAH. However, it decreases by a certain percentage each month aa you start getting better at the job and stabilizing your income.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Oct 18 at 2017 4:33 PM

2017-10-18T16:33:22-04:00

Orange Coast College is not a trade school per se but it teaches a lot of trades and seems reliable. They also have had one of the best rowing teams in the country

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2017 4:35 PM

2017-10-18T16:35:54-04:00

If you were an Abrams maintainer, why not look at Alabama? TACOM and the Reserve Command are both looking for people. The jobs start around $20/hr and you've already got the experience. In some cases they'll even cover relocation. usajobs.gov

There's a lot of opportunity there.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2017 4:46 PM

2017-10-18T16:46:12-04:00

Keep in mind that the government is trying to protect both you and the taxpayers from unscrupulous "colleges" that are anything but institutes of higher learning. Many of them almost give diplomas away, as long as the student pays.
Regardless, the VA has a list of every school that you can go to. I suggest starting there.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Oct 18 at 2017 4:52 PM

2017-10-18T16:52:35-04:00

We have OTC or Ozark technical college. In the ten years we've lived here it hasn't had any issues. They have training in the construction, welding, nursing and mechanical fields, maybe others but those are the courses I'm certain of.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2017 7:41 PM

2017-10-18T19:41:36-04:00

I am told that California has excellent community colleges - including most particularly outstanding programs at Ventura, Moorpark, Pasadena, and Santa Monica campuses. Warmest Regards, Sandy :)

Response by Maj John Bell made Oct 18 at 2017 8:25 PM

2017-10-18T20:25:12-04:00

Find yourself a Master Plumber, Electrician, Carpenter, Pipe fitter etc. etc. etc. and get a job with them as an apprentice. (Make sure you find out the reporting requirements for apprentices in your state, and make sure the Master Tradesman you are working for follows them. It saves you a lot of lost time if you end up in a pissing contest before you get your journeyman's certificate.) The union hall is usually the best place to go.

In rural Northern Michigan (not a high paying area), apprentices start at $10-$12 bucks an hour, but if you are any good you'll be making $14-16 in six to nine months. $18-$20 by the time you're ready for your Journeyman's test at 2-2.5 years. Journeymen earn $20-$35 depending on experience and specialization. Master Tradesmen can be employed at $40-$75 depending on the trade, experience and specialization, or start their own business.

Response by LTJG Richard Bruce made Oct 18 at 2017 11:47 PM

2017-10-18T23:47:51-04:00

Go to publically supported vocational schools. I will be at Pinellas Technical Educational Center (St Petersburg, FL) tomorrow and Friday assisting the HVAC class. Course is 750 hours long and cost about $4,700 that includes about $2k of tools and reference material that you keep. There are financial assistance programs available to lower overall costs.

Response by Sharon Lee made Oct 19 at 2017 6:07 AM

2017-10-19T06:07:07-04:00

Try Universities geared toward the military, such as Park Universities online programs. Park University has a site in Columbus, Ohio located on the DSCC Campus.