"What is a trade school?" is not really that odd of a question when you consider the diverse types of technical schools and institutes that the term is typically applied to. Even so, it comes as a surprise to many people to learn that the definition of a trade school (or vocational school as the institutions are also labeled) is really rather easy to explain.
What Exactly Is A Vocational School?
Vocational schools, or trade schools, put the entire emphasis of their course load on teaching students the skills needed to be successful in their future occupation. This approach is in stark contrast to the regular four-year college which requires students to learn a wide array of material that is, in the long run, not related to their chosen vocation.
A benefit to this approach is that vocational education students receive valuable skills that position them at the forefront when it's time to enter the workplace. Because vocational school career courses involve two years of personalized teaching, internships, and hands-on experience doing work in the field, graduates are usually thought of as being more qualified for positions in technical industries than are recent four-year college graduates.
Who Is A Typical Vocational School Student?
Up until recently, a common perception was that trade schools were for students who couldn't get admitted into a traditional college. Even if this may have been true at one time, it is definitely no longer true today.
The truth is, because highly-skilled labor is in greater demand now than at any other point in history, vocational schools now appeal to an exceptionally broad demographic of students. Today's trade school student body is made up of professionals who want to update their technical skills, out of work individuals searching for a way to start a new career, and recent high school graduates who want to enter the labor force with a good-paying job in as short a time as possible.
Is It Hard to Get Admitted Into a Trade School?
There's no simple answer to this question, because every trade school has its own admission requirements. With that disclaimer out of the way, it can be said that most vocational programs do require their students to have a minimum of a high school diploma or General Education Degree (GED). As is the case with just about everything, exceptions to this rule do exist and some types of programs will ignore a student's inability to satisfy the aforementioned admission requirements if supporting materials such as an employer's letter of recommendation or evidence of relevant job experience can be provided.
How Expensive are Trade Schools?
There's no denying the fact that attending a two-year trade school might be more expensive than earning a degree from a typical four-year university. If you were to honestly compare the value supplied by vocational colleges (including one-on-one training and tutoring, internships in your future field, and help with job placement upon graduation) with the career-specific education provided by most universities, you might find that the trade school appears to be a better investment.
Would-be students should likewise be aware that most vocational education programs receive large government subsidies that enable them to offer higher amounts of financial aid and other student assistance than traditional colleges. Should you decide that you want to attend a trade school, but are worried about the price, you can fill out a financial aid application form first at www.FAFSA.gov to determine how much assistance you qualify for.
What Exactly Is A Vocational School?
Vocational schools, or trade schools, put the entire emphasis of their course load on teaching students the skills needed to be successful in their future occupation. This approach is in stark contrast to the regular four-year college which requires students to learn a wide array of material that is, in the long run, not related to their chosen vocation.
A benefit to this approach is that vocational education students receive valuable skills that position them at the forefront when it's time to enter the workplace. Because vocational school career courses involve two years of personalized teaching, internships, and hands-on experience doing work in the field, graduates are usually thought of as being more qualified for positions in technical industries than are recent four-year college graduates.
Who Is A Typical Vocational School Student?
Up until recently, a common perception was that trade schools were for students who couldn't get admitted into a traditional college. Even if this may have been true at one time, it is definitely no longer true today.
The truth is, because highly-skilled labor is in greater demand now than at any other point in history, vocational schools now appeal to an exceptionally broad demographic of students. Today's trade school student body is made up of professionals who want to update their technical skills, out of work individuals searching for a way to start a new career, and recent high school graduates who want to enter the labor force with a good-paying job in as short a time as possible.
Is It Hard to Get Admitted Into a Trade School?
There's no simple answer to this question, because every trade school has its own admission requirements. With that disclaimer out of the way, it can be said that most vocational programs do require their students to have a minimum of a high school diploma or General Education Degree (GED). As is the case with just about everything, exceptions to this rule do exist and some types of programs will ignore a student's inability to satisfy the aforementioned admission requirements if supporting materials such as an employer's letter of recommendation or evidence of relevant job experience can be provided.
How Expensive are Trade Schools?
There's no denying the fact that attending a two-year trade school might be more expensive than earning a degree from a typical four-year university. If you were to honestly compare the value supplied by vocational colleges (including one-on-one training and tutoring, internships in your future field, and help with job placement upon graduation) with the career-specific education provided by most universities, you might find that the trade school appears to be a better investment.
Would-be students should likewise be aware that most vocational education programs receive large government subsidies that enable them to offer higher amounts of financial aid and other student assistance than traditional colleges. Should you decide that you want to attend a trade school, but are worried about the price, you can fill out a financial aid application form first at www.FAFSA.gov to determine how much assistance you qualify for.
About the Author:
For more answers to the question what is a trade school? and additional information on trade school careers, be sure to visit Ayla Ward's blog www.tradeschoolsincalifornia.org.
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