Gain the clinical and administrative skills needed to become a medical assistant through hands-on training and an externship.
The Path to a New Career Starts Now
100% Free Career Training in Pittsburgh, PA
Bidwell Training Center has been providing no-cost career training programs for over 50 years in Allied Health, STEM, and Culinary Arts.
Full-Time, In-Person Training – Hands-on training in real settings, daytime schedules, and no experience required.
No Cost to You – Tuition, textbooks, uniforms & supplies are fully covered upon acceptance.
Real Experience Before You Graduate – Every program includes hands-on, practical experience.
Find your path
Build essential culinary skills for professional kitchens through hands-on training in food prep, baking, operations, and menu design.
Build the lab skills needed for a career in chemical testing through hands-on training and a supervised externship.
Gain hands-on experience through an apprenticeship, combining classroom instruction with on-the-job training.
Train for a pharmacy technician career with hands-on practice in medication prep, sterile compounding, and pharmacy operations.
Learn healthcare billing and coding skills including insurance processing, EHRs, and healthcare office procedures.
Cultivate a foundation for a plant science career through training in botany, greenhouse management, and landscaping.
Our Campus
By the Numbers
Proven Outcomes, Zero Cost to You
Bidwell Training Center has provided high-quality, life-changing career training with no tuition costs. We partner directly with local employers to ensure our graduates are ready to step into high-demand roles.
50+
Years
providing no-cost career training.
180+ Partners
recruiting our students for employment.
84% Employment
rate across all our programs.
Your First Step Can Be a Small One
Have questions? An Admissions Advisor can explain your options and help you decide what makes sense—with no pressure.
THE BIDWELL EXPERIENCE
Support During Your Studies
and Beyond
Career training takes commitment, but you won’t have to navigate it alone. From Admissions through graduation and your job search, you’ll have people ready to answer questions and help you move forward. Bidwell works with local employers to keep training relevant, with opportunities that may include externships, employer-based training, industry connections, or interviews. While employment isn’t guaranteed, support is never far away.
Learn About Academic Support
Explore Career Services
Pennsylvania Residents
Your Tuition is Fully Covered.
All Bidwell programs are offered at no cost to PA residents with a high school diploma or GED. Get hands-on training, career placement assistance, and professional support.
STAY UPDATED
What's Happening at Bidwell
A Bridge & Beyond: Michele Johnson’s Journey
Career journeys rarely travel on predictable paths. For most, especially adult learners looking to reinvent or rediscover themselves, the road to success is winding and may have an unexpected scenic detour or two along the way.
September 3, 2026
Read Story
Bidwell Supports a “Growing” Need in Plant Sciences
Turning Your Passion for Nature into a Career
September 8, 2026
Read Story
STUDENT SUCCESS
What Our Graduates Say
I cannot recommend it enough.
Bidwell is a tough, but rewarding investment that can give you a strong helping hand in developing a professional network with great training. I cannot recommend it enough.
KM
Kevin May, Institutional Pharmacy Technician
Bidwell gave me a good foundation and helped me succeed in my goals.
Embarking in a new career was a scary process for me but Bidwell gave me a good foundation and helped me succeed in my goals. I am very grateful for all the teachers and staff who helped me and my classmates became successful in finishing the program.
MQ
Minnie Quebral, Medical Assistant
Throughout my time there, I was able to gain valuable hands-on experience...
I further developed essential skills, especially clinical work, patient interaction, or administrative tasks. The environment was both challenging and supportive, which allowed me to become more confident and comfortable in applying what I've learned in the classroom to real-world situations.
SK
Savanna Klimek, Medical Assistant
Bidwell turned learning something new into a career at a top chemical manufacturing company.
Bidwell has offered me the opportunity to learn something new, to take that something, and make it my own. I am now working at one of the best chemical manufacturing and supply companies in the world.
CT
Curtis E. Terry II, Chemical Laboratory Technician
Encouraged us daily to achieve our full potential.
The teachers at Bidwell Training Center encouraged us daily to achieve our full potential.
KC
Katrina Callen, Chemical Laboratory Technician
Teaches everything you need to know — and inspires the drive to be successful.
Bidwell Training Center teaches everything you need to know in the field and inspires people to find the drive in themselves to be successful.
MB
Marcus Bland, Culinary Arts
Where You'll Learn
Come Discover the North Side of Pittsburgh
Bidwell’s campus is built for practical hands-on training. Depending on your program, you may learn in a healthcare lab, chemical laboratory, commercial kitchen, computer classroom, or plant science space.
You’ll also find academic resources, student services, and welcoming spaces to study, connect, and recharge.
You’ll also find academic resources, student services, and welcoming spaces to study, connect, and recharge.
Get The Details
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear, straightforward answers to common questions about our tuition-free career programs, admissions process, and student resources.
Can't find what you're looking for?
Yes! All of our career training programs are offered at no cost to Pennsylvania residents who hold a high school diploma or GED. Tuition, textbooks, uniforms, and required supplies are fully covered as part of the one-time institutional grant.
Apply NowAccepted students pay nothing out of pocket for tuition, fees, textbooks, uniforms, or program-specific supplies. As long as you meet Bidwell's residency and education requirements, there are no hidden costs added during training — the institutional grant covers the full price of your program from day one.
Contact AdmissionsNo, every student accepted into a Bidwell Training Center program automatically receives a one-time institutional grant that covers the full cost of training — there's no separate scholarship application paperwork required. This grant is awarded once per student and isn't available for repeat enrollments.
Apply NowFunding comes from the State of Pennsylvania, along with private foundations and individual donors, which together cover the cost of tuition and program materials for every accepted student.
Learn More About No Cost Training
Yes, no-cost training is reserved for Pennsylvania residents who meet the program's admissions requirements.
Learn About Our Requirements
Bidwell offers hands-on career training in healthcare, STEM, and culinary fields, including Culinary Arts, Medical Assistant, Medical Billing, Chemical Laboratory Technician, and Pharmacy Technician.
View Our ProgramsYes, all of our programs offer an externship to give you the opportunity to gain hands-on experience. The length of your externship will vary depending on your program.
Get the Details
Graduates are prepared to enter entry-level roles in their field right away — for example, Medical Assistant graduates can pursue clinical and administrative healthcare positions, while Culinary Arts graduates are prepared for kitchen and food-service careers.
Learn About Career Services
No prior experience is required. Programs are designed for adults looking to build a new career from the ground up, with instruction starting from the fundamentals.
Apply Now
Admissions is a two-step process: first you attend an in-person Information Session, then you complete an assessment covering reading comprehension and basic math, with score requirements varying by program.
Book Your Info Session
Some programs require a criminal background check as part of the admissions process, depending on the field of study.
Learn How Background Checks Work
Information Sessions are by appointment only. To schedule your session complete the form below.
Book Your Info Session
Admission isn't about competing for limited spots so much as meeting the qualifications — the Admissions team works one-on-one with each applicant to guide you toward the right program.
Contact Admissions