Why Choose a Trade School that focuses on Employment

As the adage goes, it’s hard to get a job without experience, but it’s hard to get experience without a job. This is exactly why you want to look for trade schools that have a high post-graduation employment rates.  

When your course of study includes hands-on, real-world experience, you graduate with the experience you need to land a job – even if you’ve never worked in the industry. It’s the ideal way to escape the “can’t get a job without experience” conundrum many recent graduates face.
 

Why are Externships important?

An externship is defined as a temporary training program in a workplace, especially one offered to students as part of a course of study.  During an externship, you’ll gain on-the-job experience that puts your classroom knowledge into action. You’ll have the chance to demonstrate your skills and gain professional connections, all before you graduate. This gives you irreplaceable experience, boosts your resume, and provides you with a potential direct path to full-time employment upon completion of the externship.

At IYRS, we have connections to many externship employers, including:

  • American Yacht Restoration (Magnolia Park, FL)
  • Barton & Gray Mariners Club (North Stonington, CT)
  • Bayliss Boatworks (Wanchese, NC)
  • Bristol Marine (Bristol, RI; Somerset, MA; Boothbay, ME)
  • Calderwood Custom Millworks (Newport, RI)
  • Cay Electronics (Portsmouth, RI)
  • Comet Skateboards (Bristol, RI)
  • Experience Design Studios (Providence, RI)
  • Fibreworks Composites (Mooresville, NC)
  • Front Street Shipyard (Belfast, ME)
  • Hinckley Yachts (RI, ME, & MD)
  • Historic New England (Boston, MA)
  • Mystic Seaport (Mystic, CT)
  • Newport Restoration Foundation (Newport, RI)
  • Seasats (San Diego, CA)
  • Shearwater Marine (Stuart, FL)
  • Shelter Island Marine Electronics (San Diego, CA)
  • The Center for Wooden Boats (Seattle, WA)
  • Willis Custom Yachts (Stuart, FL)
  • Wooden Boatworks (Greenport, NY)
  • World Ocean School (Boston, MA)

 

How to succeed in finding employment after graduation

Securing a job after graduation starts before graduation. To make the process less stressful and more exciting, follow our top three tips.

Tip #1: Spend time working on your professional skills

You’ll need a resume to bring to those job interviews, and you’ll need to have practiced those interview skills to be prepared to look for a job. Don’t wait until after graduation to prepare. This is easy at IYRS, where, before graduation, we help you with your resume and interview skills and guide you on completing a successful job search.

Tip #2 Do your Research and Take advantage of your school’s connections

Trade schools with high employment rates often have connections with businesses, offer networking events, and provide other links to the business community that can put you in a good position to land a job upon graduation. Take advantage of all your school has to offer!

Tip #3 Get the right externship

Choose an experiential learning school that requires this hands-on, real-life experience as part of the curriculum. This ensures that you’ll graduate with the knowledge required for success AND a bit of experience on your resume. At IYRS, externships are part of the curriculum and the goal with most externships is to lead to full time employment.  

At IYRS, our Career Development team offers a variety of networking and hiring events, including an externship program, Career Day, a private Job Board, and more. We have connections with more than 700 businesses in the U.S. and abroad that hire IYRS graduates.

Don’t wait until graduation to prepare for your job search – get started on the right foot by selecting a school that makes it easy for you to launch your new career.

Interested in learning more about IYRS? Contact us.
 

Why should you look at Employment Rates when choosing a trade school education?

  1. Return on Investment (ROI): High employment rates indicate that students are likely to secure jobs after graduation, ensuring a good return on their educational investment. This can be especially important for students who might have limited financial resources and need to see tangible benefits from their education quickly.
  2. Industry Relevance: Employment rates reflect the relevance of the training provided. Trade schools often design their programs in collaboration with industry partners, ensuring that the skills taught match current market demands.  Each of the programs at IYRS have a advisory committee that meets to ensure that the curriculum is meeting the needs of the industry and that our students are gaining the necessary employable skills.
  3. Skill Shortages: Many industries, such as the marine and advanced manufacturing industries are experiencing skilled labor shortages. High employment rates at trade schools can help fill these gaps, benefiting both graduates and employers.
  4. Career Stability: Trade schools often focus on practical, hands-on skills that are in demand. High employment rates indicate that these careers offer stability and opportunities for advancement, making them attractive options for students.
  5. Student Confidence: Knowing that previous graduates have successfully secured employment can boost the confidence of current and prospective students.  These rates show a proven track record of a school’s commitment to helping students achieve their goals.  

 

Learn about IYRS's career-focused programs.

IYRS School of Technology & Trades offers ACCSC-accredited programs ranging in duration from 6 to 20 months. Each program allows students to continue growing as a person and make the most of their gap year. Depending on the program, enrollment takes place in March and/or September each year.

Marine Systems
Marine Systems is a 6-month program during which students learn how to install, repair, and troubleshoot all aspects of a boat’s systems, from the engine to electrical to hydraulics and plumbing, preparing them to become in-demand marine technicians or to provide a solid foundation that becomes a springboard to a career as an engineer or entrepreneur.

Composites Technology
Composites Technology is a 9-month program that teaches students to design and build with advanced materials like carbon fiber, fiberglass, and epoxy, preparing them for careers in some of the world's most exciting industries like aerospace, yacht building, automotive, sporting goods, and wind energy. 

Digital Modeling & Fabrication
Digital Modeling & Fabrication is a 9-month program that teaches students about design thinking, generating innovative solutions, and how to utilize 3D modeling software like SOLIDWORKS®, Mastercam and RHINO while also gaining knowledge in using CNC mills and lathesYou will design and build a capstone project before concluding the program with an industry externship.

Boatbuilding & Restoration
Boatbuilding & Restoration is a 20-month program that is dedicated to the craft and related disciplines of boatbuilding and marine woodworking. Students gain knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience as they prepare for a rewarding career in the boatbuilding and repair industry.

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