5 Reasons to Consider Trade School

by | Feb 15, 2021 | Cost, Jobs, Skilled Trades, Trade Schools

5 Reasons to Consider Trade School

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Times, they are a-changin’. No longer is a traditional college degree the only route people consider as a path to success. In fact, there are no guarantees that with a bachelor’s degree you’ll even find a job in your field. That said, the popularity of trade and vocational schools is on the rise, and for more than one excellent reason. But first you need to decide if a trade school program is the right path for you.

Five Reasons to Consider Trade School

Here are five reasons you should consider if you’re thinking about training for a career in the skilled trades.

  1. Job Certainty: There is a huge need for skilled tradespeople across most industries. With the right training, getting a job immediately upon your trade school graduation is common. Also, skilled trades jobs will never be outsourced overseas and are unlikely to be automated anytime soon.
  2. In Demand Careers: The majority of the trades are in high demand. If you go into one of the many medical trades such as medical assisting or lab technician, then there is a huge need for you and jobs will be plentiful. The same goes for the skilled trades like HVAC and electrical technology. Many of the tradespeople currently employed are reaching retirement age, and there aren’t enough students coming out of trade schools to fill the jobs that are about to be vacant.
  3. Hands-on Experience: Once you’ve completed your education, you’re not only holding that certificate but you’ve also gained hands-on experience. Trade schools teach you the practical information in a classroom, but you’ll often be working in the field too. That counts toward that desirable work experience most hiring personnel look for in employees.
  4. How Much Money it Costs: Four years of college can cost you over $125K. Trade school, on the other hand, costs an average of $33K. That’s a significant difference, and way less debt. Since the vast majority of students have to take out some sort of financial assistance, if you choose trade school training over a 4 year degree, you’ll be ahead of the game and working in two years or less. More reading: Financial Aid for Trade School
  5. The Time it Takes: Most trade school training programs last a few months to a couple years. And very often, you’ll go right from school to an internship or job. Because the programs at a trade school are career specific, you normally won’t be learning any core subjects you’d find in a traditional college setting–and that saves time.

To Sum it Up

So, if you decide trade school training is the right choice, you’ll need to figure out which trade school offers the best program at a price you can afford. Do your due diligence by researching each school and program. Read the reviews from students; they can be extremely helpful. Also, find out about the school’s graduation rate, as well as the job placement services the school may offer.

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