By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of Bobbisbargains.
basykes/Flickr
I recently received an email asking me where to get a chair re-upholstered at an affordable price and I instantly thought of a very unknown resource – occupational centers and technical schools. These are public schools that teach older students occupations like:
- furniture upholstery
- fashion design
- web graphics
- auto body repair
- landscaping
- floral design
- construction
- baking/cooking
- hair and beauty
- and much more
Most of these schools connect folks like you and me with students looking for experience at low fees. Many of these students are looking for experience and to build a portfolio and referrals. The work might not be perfect, but if you get a student who is just about finished with their studies, you could get a great product and a great deal.
I used a student to help me with my home landscaping. He was awesome. He educated me on different plants and helped me to pick out what would grow in my yard. He was very reasonably priced. As a matter of fact, I paid him more than he asked because he charged so little for all the work he did.
In California these schools are part of the California Association of Regional Occupational Centers and Programs (CAROCP.) In the Los Angeles area, these schools are called Los Angeles Occupational Centers. The mission of these occupational centers is to “provide exemplary career education, career development, and workforce preparation that contribute to student academic and career success and to the economic development of California.” These schools are also a resource for you to find classes at a very reasonable price. Classes for eligible students are around $50.
In New York State, there are New York Technical and Vocational Schools. I don’t know if their tuition is as reasonable as the California schools, but the advice about hiring students remains the same. I’m sure that there are similar schools in every state in America.
And who knows, the student designer that you use to help you create a custom wedding dress might just turn out to be the next hot thing. Think how lucky you will be to have one of their early works. You’ll be able to tell people that you knew they were headed for greatness.
Have you ever hired a student to do work for you?
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Home improvement: DIY a waste of time?
June 28th, 2010 at 12:22 pm
I’m a big fan of going to technical schools for services. Maybe because I graduated from a technical high school I was totally relaxed when the graphic design department made my wedding invitations at cost. Or when the holidays roll around my mom goes to bakery at my old high school and picks up pies for half the cost of a normal bakery. My invitations were lovely and nobody knew that I hired high school students to do the work!
June 28th, 2010 at 12:53 pm
I used to get my eyebrows waxed at a beauty school…cheap, and they did an awesome job! They really took their time, and made me feel like they cared about what they were doing.
June 28th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
Kaplan College in North Hollywood, CA provides completely free ultrasounds! You have to go to your doctor first (to make sure the baby is okay), but then you can go and get a free ultrasound, print out, 3D image, and/or a recording of the ultrasound. My friend did this, and she loved it.
June 28th, 2010 at 1:25 pm
Thanks to Bobbi for this great info. It’s been a long time since I’ve gone this route for needed help, but will try it again.
I have been to the Culinary School at the downtown Trade Tech College near the Staples Center for lunch. It’s a fun outing for taking the Red Line, then the Blue Line, which stops right across the street from the school. Plus, the lunch is under 10 bucks!
June 28th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
Where do you call to get information regarding services?
June 28th, 2010 at 7:06 pm
@EllieD Oh yes! I love going to the culinary schools to eat. Mission College in Sylmar is almost done with their new culinary building and they are going to put in a fancy dining room. Currently you can get a protein and two sides for well under $10 (it’s a bit cheaper if you are a student at the college but still a great deal if you aren’t a student there.)
June 28th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
@Pam Oh wow! I had no idea you could get a free ultrasound. Now that is new news to me. Has anyone else done this?
June 28th, 2010 at 7:10 pm
@Lauren Yes, I have gone to a beauty school to get a manicure and they did make me feel special. It wasn’t the very best manicure ever, but it was certainly the most caring one. It was fun and I would do it again.
June 28th, 2010 at 7:12 pm
@Jennifer Totally cool that you got your wedding invites from a technical school. I would think that you would be more relaxed about it if you had graduated from a tech school. They really are great schools. There are lots and lots of very talented students and teachers there. I’m jealous of the bakery resource. I don’t have one of those near me… but I’m going to look now.
June 29th, 2010 at 1:46 am
Where can I get furniture reupholstered for cheap?
July 2nd, 2010 at 5:51 am
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