A trade school is also sometimes referred to as a vocational school or technical school; it is a post-secondary institution that offers programs designed to prepare students for a specific career or career field. When you attend a trade school, you earn a diploma or a certificate rather than a degree. The length of these programs can range from as little as eight months up to two years and they’re offered in fields such as plumbing, automotive repair, medical assisting, information technology, and so on. Even though trade school programs have historically been considered to be really “hands-on” programs, there are a number of them that have started to offer online programs as well.
Pursuing a higher education is an incredible goal to have but the truth is that what is best for one person isn’t going to be best for the next. Maybe you would like to have a career that is fulfilling and provides you with the financial security that you need but the college experience just isn’t for you; if that’s the case, you may do better working in a skilled trade. In the past, students could receive the vocational training they’d get at a trade school as an elective in high school. However, a higher emphasis was put on academics in the 1990’s and the reputation surrounding skilled trades took a hit. People may feel like trade school is reserved for students who “aren’t smart enough” for college or that it’s not possible to have a good career with that type of education. In truth, trade schools or vocational schools are held to the same rigorous accreditation standards as any other post-secondary institution and they train their students in jobs that are highly technical and require thorough training as well as attention to detail. Skilled trades are some of the most secure jobs in the country and there are millions of positions open right now that there just aren’t enough skilled workers to fill.
Trade school is a perfectly acceptable alternative to pursuing an academic degree. It can be more affordable and completed quicker so you can enter the workforce and start earning money sooner. Skilled trades typically offer ample room for advancement and actively encourage professional development and continuing education. Regardless of what factors contribute to your decision to attend a trade school, you’re going to find that it is a solid investment in your future. Online trade school programs are still a fairly new thing but there are more programs in the works all the time as trade schools expand to meet the needs of their students. Distance education at a trade school will teach you all of the same material you’d learn attending campus but you can do it in a way that is more convenient for you because it is more flexible, and often times, vastly more affordable. Trade schools already feature lower costs than traditional institutions of higher education, combined with the already cheaper online delivery format you’re bound to save some money while you work towards a stable career.