industries. However, following the traditional four-year collegiate path isn’t the right fit for all students.
Instead, many new students are focusing on career colleges and trade schools to gain the training necessary to enter the workforce quickly and competitively.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, trade and vocational school enrollment almost doubled from 1996 to 2016.
If you’re considering enrolling in a trade school, now is the best time to do so!
Keep reading to learn more!
Reasons to Enroll in a Trade School Today
Better Completion Rates
Unsurprisingly, trade schools have better graduation and career placement statistics than traditional four-year institutions.
Around 40% of first-time four-year college students fail to graduate within their first six years of enrollment.
Almost all trade schools surpass that number.
Since vocational schools also offer job placement assistance as a service through the school, graduates find positions in their field much faster than a four-year university.
These are motivating statistics to start enrolling at a trade school today.
Earn Real-World Experience
In all careers, there are many aspects of the position that you cannot learn sitting in a classroom or by reading a textbook.
For instance, if you want to become a Vocational Nurse, you can’t learn to properly take blood pressure or draw blood by reading the steps.
If you desire to become a welder, you won’t pass the certifications if you’ve never picked up a torch.
As the old saying goes, “practice makes perfect,” and that is the entire focus of a trade school.
While classroom and textbook learning are important, practical experience is best for real-world applications.
Many trade school programs also require externships to provide on-the-job training, which often leads to a full-time position after graduation.
Enter the Workforce Faster
Bachelor’s Degrees take at least four years to complete because the curriculums are full of prerequisites and electives that students might not need.
On the other hand, trade schools focus on the most beneficial skills students need in their future careers and provide first-person training in those areas.
When you consider the name “career college,” the mission is to prepare you to meet career goals, not waste time on classes that don’t provide value.
Gain Critical Training for High Demand Careers
Since trade schools focus on giving students the tools needed to kickstart their careers, their programs are in high demand.
Trades like welding, HVAC, and electrical work always need skilled professionals because society depends so much on them to keep infrastructure, businesses, and homes operating properly.
Also, healthcare roles are some of the fastest-growing careers since medical services demands continue to rise.
Trade schools make it so graduates don’t need to worry about additional training after graduation since they are ready to enter the workforce in high-demand careers.
Get Out of Your Current Career
Given that trade schools are cost-effective and have short educational requirements, they offer you a chance to get out of your current career and enter a well-paying, hands-on job as fast as possible.
Many who enroll in a trade school feel stuck in their current roles with no opportunity for advancement or to make more money.
Skilled trades offer a steady paycheck with excellent benefits and future growth.
Meaningful Professional Connections
Unlike traditional colleges and universities that have massive lecture halls with hundreds of students, trade schools have significantly smaller class sizes, allowing you to engage more with instructors and classmates.
These regular interactions help you build a network of professionals in the same trade or industry and create a sense of community as you collectively work toward graduating.
These professional relationships are often career-long and mutually beneficial.
Numerous Program Options
When investigating whether a trade school is the right decision for your career now, you may be surprised by the extensive program offerings.
Trade school programs range from creative arts to business, healthcare, and industrial roles.
These programs are focused on helping you expand your skill set to meet career goals.
They are even beneficial for those who are already in the industry.
For instance, established electricians would benefit from a Solar Installation training program to improve their qualifications.
Post-Graduation Assistance
The goals of all vocational schools are to give students the knowledge necessary to be successful in the workforce and find a career immediately after graduation.
To do so, trade schools have career services departments that offer opportunities and resources to assist you with your job search.
Faculty and staff typically work in the industry and have longstanding relationships with local organizations, businesses, and employers, so they are updated on those searching for local graduates.
There’s a team for everything from writing resumes to interviewing skills and following up as you progress through your career.
Surpass the Education Barrier
While colleges and universities have extensive applications and an admissions process without any guarantee of acceptance, trade schools give all interested the chance to gain training and knowledge for a successful career.
These schools focus on an easy and accessible application experience.
Depending on the school, many students enroll without a high school diploma, and no prerequisite classes or standardized testing scores are required.
Reduce Student Debt
Another reason to enroll in a trade school now is the staggering costs of a traditional four-year institution to earn a bachelor’s degree.
Starting the next phase of your life can be difficult when graduating with your finances already in the red.
Trade schools have programs that require a fraction of the cost due to the curriculum focusing on the skills you need.
As a result, most graduates of trade schools have less financial burden and start earning in their careers sooner than those enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs.
Additionally, many trade schools have financial aid assistance to further lower the cost.
Sources
https://summitcollege.edu/top-8-benefits-of-enrolling-in-career-college-trade-school/
https://intercoast.edu/articles/benefits-of-trade-schools/
https://www.vocationaltraininghq.com/best-trade-schools/
Frequently Asked Questions
Are trade school graduates in high demand?
Vocational training programs provide students with the specific skills necessary to be successful in their careers, which puts them in high demand for employers.
Industries like cybersecurity, healthcare, and skilled trades are especially in high demand with graduates quickly finding well-paying positions.
Are there online trade school programs?
As traditional colleges and universities have adapted to remote or hybrid learning, trade schools have followed suit with plenty of online vocational programs.
Having a fully online or hybrid program is highly beneficial for those who prefer learning at home, working part- or full-time, or have caregiving responsibilities.
It is important to note that some programs require a lab or in-facility, hands-in element to provide you with real-world experience before graduation.
What financial aid opportunities do trade schools offer?
Similar to traditional colleges, trade schools offer a range of financial aid options like student loans, scholarships, and federal grants.
However, with shorter, more skill-focused programs, graduates complete the program with less debt in a quicker time.
Most trade schools have financial aid staff who can assist you with the application process and finding grants and scholarships that may apply.
How long does a trade school program take?
Although the program length can range from six weeks to two years, most fall within the one-to-two-year range.
For those with established careers in a specific trade, a certificate program takes approximately one year to complete.