Trade schools are educational institutions that provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to enter the workforce. In this article, we’ll explore what trade schools are and how they differ from other types of schools.
What Is a Trade School?
Trade schools are schools that teach students skills pertaining to specific jobs and trades. Trade schools are also called technical schools, vocational schools, or career colleges.
Trade school programs vary in length from one year to four years depending on the type of program (i.e., apprenticeship) and where it’s located:
- Apprenticeships range from one year up to four years depending on the industry you’re going into; they can be found at brick-and-mortar trade school locations as well as online classes through accredited universities such as DeVry University or Kaplan University.
- Diploma programs usually take one semester per term with an optional summer internship between semesters; these programs often require that students work part-time during their studies so that they have enough money for living expenses while studying full-time at night after class hours end each day but before finals week rolls around next month when everyone has had two weeks off before starting back up again
How Long Are Trade Schools?
Trade school programs are typically offered between two and four years. However, some programs may be shorter, while others may be much longer. Generally speaking, the shorter the program length, the more intense it will be.
They are also a great option for people who want to get into a trade but don’t have the money or grades to go to a traditional university and want to get into the workforce quickly. Trade schools offer specialized training that is focused on specific areas of study.
You can typically expect to spend about 2 years in a program before you’re ready for a career in your field of interest.
Types of Trade Schools
If you’re interested in pursuing a trade, or if your current career doesn’t offer all the opportunities you’d like, trade schools may be an option. Trade schools can help students learn new skills and get training in fields that interest them. There are a variety of different types of trade schools, and they all have their own pros and cons.
Industrial arts
Industrial arts are designed to teach students how to use their hands and apply their knowledge in a real-world setting. These programs typically require students to spend several hours per day in class, and they often have hands-on projects that involve using tools and machinery. These programs are also more likely to focus on an industrial setting, like welding, stone cutting, or woodworking.
Technical trade
Technical trade schools are the best for people who want to get into the field of engineering. They’ll teach you the skills that you need to become a mechanical engineer, an electrical engineer, or even an industrial engineer. Technical schools are designed to teach students the skills that they’ll need to enter the workforce. They typically specialize in a particular industry or field, and they require students to complete practical work in addition to their coursework. Students can pursue technical training at community colleges, vocational schools, and technical schools. Technical schools may also offer hands-on training for those who want to work on-site with professionals in the field.
Commercial
This type of school teaches students about all aspects of business, including sales and marketing techniques and financial management skills that are useful for running a business of any kind. These programs often include practical classes that allow students to apply their knowledge immediately after graduation. Students will need some experience in the field before enrolling in this type of school.
How Do I Get Into Trade School?
Getting into trade school can be a challenge. But don’t worry, there are many ways to make it happen! We’ve put together a few helpful tips to help you get started on your path to becoming a trade school graduate.
- Start with the basics: Do your research! Trade schools are huge, so there are tons of different options out there—and lots of them require some sort of prerequisites or coursework before you can start taking classes. Find out what those requirements are and make sure you’re ready before diving in.
- Don’t miss out on informational interviews: These are a great way to get up-to-date on what’s happening in the industry right now, as well as see if any of your classmates have any tips for getting into their program or school of choice (or even just getting through their program). You could also find people who have recently graduated from schools that interest you, so they can give you advice on how they got in and what they had to do after getting in—it might save time later!
- Consider taking classes at local colleges: There are plenty of universities and community colleges around, so if one isn’t exactly where your dream.
Obtain skills pertaining to specific jobs and trades.
A trade school is not just about getting a job, but it also teaches you how to get your license. The main difference between a vocational or technical school and a professional training program is that vocational programs focus on preparing individuals for entry-level positions in their respective fields, whereas professional training programs are designed for skilled workers who already have experience in their field of study.
The Bottom Line
Trade schools are a great way to learn a trade or explore a career path in your field of interest. They can also be an option if you need to get some additional training but don’t want the time commitment required by other post-secondary programs.
