The Colorado School of Trades located in Lakewood, Colorado, founded in 1947, has been a gunsmith training destination since its inception. The school enjoys a worldwide reputation built on a nearly 70-year history and a long list of successful graduates recognized by top Gunsmith employers everywhere.
The Colorado School of Trades has applied a system based on hands-on, project-oriented training geared to train individuals who wish to become artisan craftsmen. The gunsmith program offers a personal approach to training that allows a motivated student to enter the profession of Gunsmithing as an entry level general Gunsmith.
The Colorado School of Trades has structured the curriculum to teach students the basics, allowing the exceptional student to challenge his or her skill set, progress further, and learn more complex skills.
Students learn Gunsmithing through the repair of customers’ firearms in the largest Gunsmithing shop in the United States. Gunsmith students perform 4,000 to 5,000 firearm repair operations every year. The Colorado School of Trades is located just 10 minutes from Denver, and less than 90 minutes from Colorado Springs. The gun shop offers firearm repair and gun modification services so students get a variety of real-world experience. Students must be 18 years of age to start the program, but there is no age minimum to apply to the Colorado School of Trades' Gunsmithing programs.
Graduates receive an Associate of Occupational Studies Degree in Gunsmithing.
Admissions
The Colorado School of Trades begins a new class the second Monday of each month. The Gunsmith Program is 14 months of continuous training and fulfills the requirements to become a gunsmith. Classes meet Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for 1800 hours. Upon completion, the graduate will receive an Associate of Occupation Studies Degree in Gunsmithing and will be prepared to explore a wide variety of jobs in gunsmithing.
Prospective students interested in applying for admission to the school must:
- Be at least 18 years of age or honorably discharged from the military.
- Possess either a High School Diploma or a GED
- Be physically and mentally capable of performing the projects and class work required for graduation
- Be able to pass a background check.
Program Overview
Colorado School of Trade's Gunsmith program is designed to teach the necessary skills which will enable the reasonably diligent student to enter the profession of gunsmithing as an entry level general gunsmith. Students in the program will learn the skills necessary to specialize in one (or several) of the specialties within the profession (e.g., general repair, custom gun work, pistolsmithing, accurizing firearms for match competition, production of competition rifles, shotguns, etc.). Upon completion of the program graduates will receive an Associate of Occupational Studies Degree in Gunsmithing.
For program/curriculum specifics visit www.schooloftrades.edu
Farrier Science Program - Discontinued
A farrier is metal worker and animal specialist tasked to care for a horse's hooves/footing, and building of shoes specific for the horse's unique hoof and step. It is a specialized science that is part blacksmith, veterinarian, and machinist. The program was phased out by 2007 and is no longer offered.
Gun Shop/Repair Department
The Colorado School of Trades gun shop is the largest fully operational gun shop in the United States. The Denver location offer students the opportunity to learn in an apprenticeship-like environment. A customer firearm is assigned to a student who will learn to troubleshoot, diagnose and safely inspect the firearm prior to receiving the work order. The student will be required to disassemble, clean, oil and reassemble the firearm, putting it back together in 100% safe firing condition. At this time, the student along with an instructor will test fire the firearm, return to the gun shop for the repair order, and complete it.
The general public and many of the local law enforcement agencies bring their firearms to the Colorado School of Trades for repairs. On average, the student body will work on 4,000 to 5,000 customer firearms per year. Students will see and work on a broad range of firearms. If the firearm is legal, safe, or can be made safe and parts are available, the school will work on it.
On a daily basis almost every student at the school will pass through the gun shop. The gun shop is not only where students come to pick up firearms for repairs, but they may also bring their own firearms in to work on. Students also come to the gun shop to order parts or any tools and supplies they may need. In addition, the school and it's gun shop has a well stocked learning resource center where books may be checked out as needed to support repair projects.
Career Services - Assisting Students with Job Placement
Colorado School of Trades' program imparts the skills necessary for students to become an entry level general Gunsmith. Colorado School of Trades graduates go to work for large and small independent Gunsmithing shops throughout the world, firearm manufacturers, sporting goods dealers, law enforcement, and the military.
During a student's time in school, the Colorado School of Trades will help students prepare their resume, assist with interviewing techniques, provide information for starting your own business, and provide soon-to-be-graduates with the ability to generate job leads. The school maintains a job board of Gunsmithing career opportunities which is updated regularly.
CST has a full-time placement coordinator whose job is to assist students from the time they start school up to graduation in order to assist with employment goals. Â The placement coordinator will assist in preparing resumes, portfolio, and interviewing techniques.
Financial Aid
The Colorado School of Trades participates in the PELL Grant and Direct Lending Programs. In each of these programs, an award is given based upon the financial and family situation of the prospective student. There is no charge for the evaluation procedure. All students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online @ fafsa@gov.
The Colorado School of Trades is approved for all Veterans’ Assistance Programs including the Post-9/11 Veterans’ Educational Assistance Act of 2008.
For Interested Applicants
Interested parties looking at the Colorado School of Trades for Gunsmithing are urged to call the Admissions Office @ 720-376-6668, and request information from the school via their webpage found at http://schooloftrades.edu/
References
External links
- Colorado School of Trades