Trade Schools, Colleges and Universities

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Vocational & Trade School Programs to Kick-Start Your Career

Last Updated

Finding trade school programs has never been easier.

Navigating your educational options may seem like a daunting task. That's why we want to make your search as simple as possible, because finding a trade school that could help you follow your dreams should not be stressful.

Maybe you don't know where to start. Or maybe you're interested in a general career area like healthcare or skilled trades and want to explore the vocational training possibilities. Or perhaps you have a specific type of program in mind and simply need to find a trade school or college that offers it.

Explore the following programs or use the search tool below to quickly discover programs offered near you. Your path to a brighter future and better life could be one search away!



Find a Vocational or Trade School Program


Programs


More About Trade School Programs

ProgramsA trade or vocational school is an educational institution geared toward helping students get employment-ready skills and knowledge for particular occupations. Vocational schools are also known by other terms. For example, a technical or vocational school is generally the same as a trade school or career college; the terms are usually interchangeable.

A vocational program is any course of study or practical training offered by a trade school, technical school, or vocational college designed to lead directly to career opportunities in a particular field. Traditionally, vocational or trade school programs have focused on areas like construction, manufacturing, automotive service, or cosmetology. Today's vocational schools offer a much wider range of training options, as seen in the extensive list of programs above.

At a trade school, you can learn a combination of hands-on skills and theoretical knowledge directly related to the occupation you want to have. Depending on your intended vocation, you'll learn specific techniques using industry-relevant equipment in facilities that simulate real-world work settings. You'll also learn about any legal regulations or requirements in your field. You may even get to practice your skills in an actual work setting as part of an included internship or externship.

Another defining characteristic of many vocational colleges and trade schools is the attention paid to students' everyday lives and diverse backgrounds. For example, unlike a lot of traditional academic institutions, career-driven schools tend to incorporate features like:

  • Courses may be offered in the evening or on weekends
  • Online trade school programs
  • Easier admission processes
  • Smaller class sizes
  • Shorter, more streamlined programs
  • Personalized, hands-on instruction in well-equipped training facilities that simulate real-world work settings
  • Externships with employers
  • Job search assistance

Simply put, vocational schools can often be defined by how they approach training busy adults who want to enter fast-growing industries quickly and pragmatically.

And there are clear advantages to choosing a vocational school. Research has shown that post-secondary students who earn degrees in vocational fields are more likely to be employed full-time six years after beginning their education. Data from the National Center for Education Statistics shows that 86 percent of people who earned a technical or career-based associate degree had full-time jobs compared to 79 percent of those who earned a more general academic one. The percentage was also higher for students with a career-focused bachelor's degree (89 percent vs. 83 percent).

As you can see, there are definite benefits to receiving vocational training: You can choose from more vocations than you might expect. You may have better employment outcomes. And you'll learn in a way that targets your real-world needs. So, if you are already thinking, "I'm ready to find a trade school near me," then you're ahead of the game. You just need to find the right program from the right college or trade school for you. Programs that fit your goals might be offered at a school near you.


Prepare for Your Future

Now that you know what a vocational (or technical or trade) school is and what you can learn from one, take this opportunity to discover convenient trade school programs available in your area. Just enter your zip code to get started!