TradeSchool

What TradeSchool does

TradeSchool Inc. is a private software company founded in 2012 that develops database and management software purpose-built for apprenticeship training centers. The platform is anchored by a FileMaker-based desktop application that serves as a central hub for apprentice tracking, work report management, advancement processing, applicant ranking, classroom management, and compliance documentation. The company complements its core desktop product with integrated Web Services (apprentice self-service portal for work report submissions, class registration, document access, and fee payments) and a Mobile App launched in 2025 for native push notifications and mobile work report submissions.

TradeSchool generates revenue through a per-seat enterprise model combining a one-time initial license fee ($1,299/seat) with annual recurring maintenance and support ($1,129/seat/year, with volume pricing above 5 seats), plus add-on subscriptions for cloud hosting ($943/year), web application firewall security ($337/year), and mobile app access ($419/seat/year). Usage-based fees apply for SMS messaging (2.5¢ per text) and credit card processing (5.8% + $1.29 per transaction), and one-time migration services are offered for clients transitioning from legacy systems. The company's primary customer segments are Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees (JATCs) in the electrical, plumbing and pipefitters, and solar trades, as well as national trade associations and utility companies running internal apprenticeship programs.

TradeSchool distributes directly to customers across the United States, with a small employee base of 1-10 and headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon. Go-to-market relies on Calendly-driven demo booking, free trials, annual in-person training events held in San Diego, San Antonio, and St. Paul, community-led engagement through partnerships like NETDA, and one-on-one support sessions with named product specialists. The company claims to power hundreds of apprenticeship training centers nationwide. No external funding rounds have been disclosed, and ownership commentary indicates founder-owned, bootstrapped operations under Founder/CEO Lance Hallberg, whose own experience as a former electrical apprentice and JATC participant informed the product design.

Name

TradeSchool

Legal name

TradeSchool Inc.

Website

https://tradeschoolinc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

TradeSchool Inc. develops FileMaker-based database and management software for apprenticeship training centers in the US, offering desktop, web, and mobile applications for apprentice tracking, compliance, and training administration across electrical, plumbing, and solar trades.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Apprenticeship Management Software

NAICS

Apprenticeship Training (611513), Technical and Trade Schools (61151)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Apprenticeships, Pre-Apprenticeships & Work-Based Learning (EDAAAOAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs (BPACANAK)

Keywords

• Apprenticeship management software
• Training center database
• JATC software solutions
• Apprentice tracking system
• Workforce development platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Lauderdale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Initial Client Licensing: One-time per-seat initial cost for the software license. This is the upfront fee for deploying the TradeSchool platform to each user seat.
2. Annual Maintenance & Support: Annual recurring subscription per seat for maintenance, support, and ongoing software updates. Volume pricing is available for organizations with more than 5 seats. This is the core recurring revenue stream.
3. Cloud Hosting Services: Annual cloud-hosted server fee for clients who prefer not to manage their own infrastructure. Provides instant deployment and zero network setup.
4. Web Application Firewall: Annual security subscription covering web access protection, data encryption, and regularly updated firewall security for web services.
5. Mobile App Add-on: Annual per-seat fee for mobile app access. Fixed pricing not tiered by usage or login frequency. Seamless integration with existing web services login credentials.
6. SMS Text Messaging: Usage-based pricing at 2.5 cents per text message. Accumulates and is added to annual maintenance costs. Typically minimal additional cost for most clients.
7. Credit Card Processing: Transaction-based fee of 5.8% plus $1.29 per transaction for online payment processing through the Sales module.
8. Migration Services: One-time implementation and data migration services from legacy tracking systems. Pricing varies based on the complexity of the current system.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

TradeSchool provides an integrated apprenticeship management software platform for trade training centers. The offering combines a desktop database application, web services portal, and mobile app to manage apprentices, applications, training classes, contractors, and compliance reporting. The platform is purpose-built for JATCs and apprenticeship programs in industries such as electrical, plumbing, solar, and utilities.

Product overview

TradeSchool offers a unified apprenticeship management platform consisting of a Desktop Application as the central database hub, Web Services for participant self-service, and a Mobile App for on-the-go access. Additional modules include the Apprentice Module for program tracking, Applications Module for recruitment processing, Training Module for classroom management, and Custom Reporting for analytics. Maintenance & Support is available as an add-on service covering server hosting, updates, and training sessions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Desktop Application A central database platform designed for apprenticeship training centers, featuring intuitive searching, advanced reporting with drag-and-drop tools, automation and customization capabilities, and correspondence management including emails, SMS, and push notifications.
• Web Services A fully integrated web application providing apprentice self-service features including time card submissions, program progression tracking, online evaluations, fee payments, document access, class registration, instructor web services, and online bill pay.
• Mobile App A fully integrated mobile application allowing apprentices to access their accounts, view status and history, submit work reports, and receive push notifications directly to their devices.
• Maintenance & Support Ongoing customer support, training sessions, server updates and maintenance, backups (hourly, daily, weekly, monthly), offsite cloud backups, and database restoration services.
• Apprentice Module Program-specific tracking for apprentices including job assignments, pay advancements with unlimited pay scales, work reports and hour tracking, and notifications and correspondence management.
• Apprentice Web Services Interactive web portal features enabling apprentices to submit online work reports, request evaluations, register for classes, access documents, manage payments, and view their history and status.
• Applications Module Paperless application processing including aptitude test scheduling, interview management, online applications, rank list generation with auto-ranking, and applicant correspondence.
• Training Module Classroom tracking with customizable class details, flexible grade tracking with up to 7 customizable grades, online classroom portal, instructor web services, and class fee management.
• Custom Reporting Advanced reporting capabilities with drag-and-drop design tools, custom formulas and calculations, graphing and charting, and data export functionality.

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Trainual: Training and operations platform for SMBs and trade-oriented businesses, focused on systematizing training programs. Adjacent to TradeSchool's training management capabilities, particularly for smaller apprenticeship sponsors, though without the JATC regulatory compliance depth.
• Absorb LMS: Cloud LMS used by training organizations and associations for course delivery, tracking, and reporting. Comparable to TradeSchool for the training/classroom-management portion of apprenticeship workflows, though lacking the apprenticeship-specific compliance layer.
• TalentLMS: SMB-friendly LMS with course management, compliance tracking, and reporting features used by trade schools and training centers. Comparable to TradeSchool's Training Module features at a more accessible price point, though much less JATC-specific.

Broad incumbents

• Cornerstone OnDemand: Enterprise learning and talent management platform used by large employers and workforce development organizations. Adjacent competitor that could move down-market into trade apprenticeship training programs with learning, compliance, and tracking features.
• Quickbase: Low-code application platform commonly used by trade and apprenticeship organizations to build custom tracking systems. Comparable as a customizable database platform approach to TradeSchool's FileMaker foundation, though Quickbase is horizontal rather than apprenticeship-specific.
• Docebo: AI-powered enterprise LMS serving corporate training and workforce development. Adjacent to TradeSchool for the classroom/training-management aspects of apprenticeship programs, though lacks the JATC-specific compliance and apprentice tracking workflows.
• Workday: Enterprise HCM and Workday Learning platform used by large employers, including utilities with apprenticeship programs (e.g., LUMA-class customers). Comparable as a broader HCM/training incumbent that could expand into TradeSchool's niche through its Learning module.

Others

• Claris (FileMaker): Vendor of the FileMaker platform underlying TradeSchool's core database. Not a direct competitor but a critical infrastructure/enabling relationship; Claris's roadmap and pricing changes directly affect TradeSchool's product economics and modernization options.

Direct peers

• Build Your Future (BYF): Construction-industry apprenticeship and training management organization supporting apprenticeship sponsors across multiple trades. Directly comparable to TradeSchool's apprenticeship-focused vertical SaaS, though typically positioned more as an industry resource/association.
• WorkHands: Apprenticeship management platform purpose-built for skilled trades training programs. Comparable to TradeSchool as a vertical SaaS solution serving apprenticeship sponsors with work report tracking, hour logging, and program management.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about TradeSchool