Trade and Technical schools in Hawaii could be your ticket to a job in key industries such as hospitality or with top employers like insurer HMSA, Hawaiian Airlines or Hawaiian Electric Industries. These schools specialize in degrees and certificates that can be completed in two years or less, meaning you may save time and money while preparing for an exciting new career.
What sort of careers are we talking about? Statewide, tractor-trailer truck drivers, massage therapists and paralegals have some of the hottest jobs for those with career or technical training, according to the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. However, your job prospects can vary by island.
On Maui, captains, mates and pilots of water vessels are expected to have some of the best job opportunities through 2026, as are licensed practical nurses and dental hygienists. Head to Kauai, and the government estimates firefighters and medical assistants will be in demand. Meanwhile, in Honolulu on Oahu, positions for computer user support specialists and medical and clinical laboratory technicians are growing.
Regardless of where you live, though, vocational schools in Hawaii can offer good value and hands-on training for these and other occupations.
Why is Hawaii Good for Vocational/Tech Schools?
Career technical education, or CTE, is a popular choice in Hawaii. Associate degrees and certificates made up 40% of all the degrees awarded in the state in 2017 according to Advance CTE, an association of career technical education professionals.
Pursuing a CTE education can also set Hawaiian students up for success. At the high school level, state students following a career-technical curriculum have a 99 percent graduation rate, Advance CTE says. That's 16 percent higher than the graduation rate for all high school students. What's more, 100 percent of those graduates have gone on to postsecondary education, advanced training, military service or employment within six months of finishing high school.
Highest-Paying and Fastest-Growing Careers in Hawaii
Best Trade Schools in Hawaii
With so many career schools in Hawaii, you may be wondering which one is right for you. While each student has unique needs, the best trade schools in Hawaii tend to share similar traits. They typically have affordable tuition rates, offer student support services and provide multiple learning options such as day, evening and online classes. We analyzed institutions in the state and think these are some of the best trade schools in Hawaii.
As part of the University of Hawaii System, Leeward Community College offers nearly 80 programs of study that include transfer degrees, technical degrees and certificates. The school was established in 1968 and enrolls approximately 6,500 credit students each year. Leeward Community College is conveniently located near Honolulu on Oahu.
What vocational programs Leeward offers: Fields of study at Leeward include diverse options such as automotive tech, culinary arts and business technology. The college has been given the designation National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education Two-Year by the National Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security. This honor is in recognition of the strength of the school's cybersecurity program. More than 20 degrees and certificates at Leeward can be earned entirely online, including a software developer certificate and teaching associate degree.
Founded in 1946 when Hawaii was still a U.S. territory, Kapiolani Community College has a long history of providing career training to residents of Oahu. The school is now part of the University of Hawaii System and has its campus just minutes from Waikiki. It enrolls nearly 7,000 students annually.
What vocational programs Kapiolani CC offers: Dozens of credit and non-credit programs are offered at Kapiolani CC. The school's culinary arts program is the only one in the state offering a specialization in pastry arts, and students across all culinary specialties learn in state-of-the-art facilities. Health education programs are also popular at Kapiolani CC and include nursing, EMT and medical laboratory technician training. The college has more than 200 online classes for distance learners.
Students of all backgrounds are welcome at Windward Community College, but the school has a special emphasis on meeting the needs of Native Hawaiian students. Located in the Koolau region of Oahu, Windward Community College offers a small learning environment and supportive atmosphere for its approximately 2,500 students. It is a part of the University of Hawaii System.
What vocational programs WCC offers: Students can choose from four associate degrees and more than a dozen certificates at WCC. These include an associate degree in veterinary technology and a certificate in information security. The school also has a certificate in agripharmatech for those who want to study plant biotechnology or traditional medicines. Students who need flexible scheduling options will find evening, online and hybrid courses at WCC.
Located on the Big Island of Hawaii, this community college has been educating students for nearly 80 years. The school's main campus in Hilo and a second location can be found in Kona. Hawaii Community College uses an educational framework based on the concepts of work-based learning, use of technology, perpetuation of Hawaiian culture and care of the environment.
What vocational programs Hawaii CC City offers: With more than two dozen programs that can lead to associate degrees, certificates and CTE certification, Hawaii CC has something for everyone. Popular fields of study include diesel mechanics, skilled trades and culinary arts. Hawaii CC offers online classes for distance learners, and these students have access to support services that include tutoring and counseling.
Located in the Hawaiian state capital, Honolulu Community College prides itself on offering excellent educational value. The school features small classes that are taught by well-credentialed instructors. Founded in 1920, the college was originally known as the Territorial Trade School in Palama and is now part of the University of Hawaii System.
What vocational programs Honolulu CC offers: Honolulu CC offers more than 20 career technical education programs as well as apprenticeships. Its CTE degrees and certificates cover fields such as small vessel fabrication and repair, cosmetology and applied trades. Many courses are available online for distance learners, and some are offered in an accelerated 5-week format. Honolulu CC is also home to specialized learning centers such as a Cybersecurity Center and Fujio Matsuda Technology Training & Education Center.
Financial Aid for Students in Hawaii Trade Schools
Despite being in a state that has a reputation for a high cost of living, many career schools in Hawaii offer affordable degree and certificate programs. According to the College Board, the average cost of tuition and fees at the state's public, two-year schools is $4,020 for 2019-2020. That's less than half the $10,980 charged, on average, by public four-year schools.
What's more, Hawaii has been working to make college affordable for its residents. In 2017, it launched a $2.5 million Hawaii Promise program to help cover the costs of financially needy students. That just one of the Hawaii scholarships and grants available to help reduce the cost of higher education in the state.
Before you can receive financial aid in Hawaii, you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Known as the FAFSA, this form is used by the government and vocational schools in Hawaii to determine a student's financial need. Applicants may be eligible for the following scholarships, among others. You can learn more about the FAFSA and how to apply for financial aid in Hawaii by reading our financial aid guide.
- Hawaii Promise Scholarship: These awards are intended to pay the cost of tuition and fees not covered by other financial aid programs. The scholarship can be used at University of Hawaii Community Colleges, and students must demonstrate financial need.
- George H. and Kay K. Sasaki Endowed Scholarship: This scholarship is available to both traditional and adult students and is intended for those with GPAs between 1.7 and 2.7.
- Second Century Scholars Program: Native Hawaiian students pursuing their first degree may be eligible for assistance from this need-based financial aid program.
Resources for Vocational Students and Vocational Job Seekers in Hawaii
Keep reading about traditional and online trade schools in Hawaii by visiting the following websites:
- The Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges provides regional accreditation for nonprofit colleges and universities in Hawaii.
- Links to all colleges, universities and technical schools in Hawaii can be found on the State of Hawaii education page.
- Job seekers can search for open positions or learn more about training opportunities such as apprenticeships through the state's Workforce Development Division.