Trade School, Everything You Need to Know - CET

What do trade schools do? How long does a trade school take? How much does it cost? Is a trade school right for you? You have questions, we have the answers.

What is a trade school?

Some people might think of trade schools as an alternative to university studies after completing high school. Other people might think of trade schools as a place to get the foundational knowledge to start a new career path or to get highly trained on the skills needed to succeed in many industries.

A trade school is all the above and more. After all, learning a trade means that you will gain highly specific knowledge on a role in a shorter period of time than other educational institutions. This can be an advantage if you are eager to start working and do not see yourself in a 4-year school program.

As an educational institution, a trade school can help you gain hands-on experience through career training and exposure to an industry simulated environment. This is the place where you can go from having zero experience to becoming a desirable skilled worker to employers.

In addition, with hands-on education an industry-simulated environment, you’ll be able to get an all-around understanding of how your chosen industry functions. This also provides you with valuable insights that could inspire you to pursue an entrepreneurial path down the road.

Trade Schools are Career Oriented

Day to day as a student, you can expect to get work-oriented training as if already on the job. You learn how to make decisions based on realistic tasks and obstacles you may encounter once employed.

For example, someone studying a culinary program will have access to a professional kitchen to practice their cooking skills. An early childhood teacher assistant will have hands-on experience engaging with children and parents, as well as administrative tasks of a childcare center.

Programs at a trade school, also known as vocational college, vary in specialty. Some trade schools might only offer programs related to one area of work like childcare, business or medical programs, for example. Other programs you might find at a trade school are accounting clerk, computer support specialist, early childhood teacher assistant, medical assistant to name a few.

Since trade schools are career-oriented and highly focused on providing the experience and skills for a student to succeed after graduation, their programs are also shorter than other types of educational institutions. When learning a specific trade, the possibility of getting a job right after completing a program is higher. 

A program at a trade school might take between 6 to 8 months and trade schools are likely to help with job placement after graduation.

What are the benefits of studying at a trade school?

Some of the benefits of studying at a trade school directly impact the earnings and quality of life of the student.

Benefits of Trade Schools at a Personal Level

Trade schools welcome students from all backgrounds and educational levels. This means you can start a program at a trade school whether you have completed your high school studies or not. Life is different for everybody. Personal circumstances should not be the reason for you to give up on getting a career that is interesting, meaningful, and exciting for you.

Most trade schools will first require that you meet with their school advisor to help you identify what program(s) would be best for you. A school advisor can suggest steps to take to enroll in the program you like.

Another way that studying a program at a trade school can be beneficial at a personal level is the earning potential. Trade careers have high salary potential, high job stability and high sense of purpose.

A career with purpose can make all the difference in your life, your work and your personal relationships.

Do you find joy in working with numbers? Maybe consider developing your accounting skills so you can get a job that makes you excited to go to work.

Or maybe helping people makes you happy. A program at trade school can prepare you for a medical career in a short period of time, and with a high chance of employment.

Are you someon that enjoys cooking? You might have the sufficient skills to prepare food at home, but a professional kitchen is a whole new ball game. Consider enrolling in a culinary program at a trade school and learn the essential skills to work as a line-cook or a baking assistant.

While a trade school program cost may vary depending on the trade school and location, the cost will likely be much lower than a university program. The average cost of a program at a trade school is $33,000 for the entire education, which is the average cost of only one year of a university program!

Benefits of Trade Schools at a Working Level

Trade schools provide an industry-simulated environment for students to learn and execute the skills that will prepare them to show up with confidence at work. However, this is not the only way that studying a program at a trade school can benefit you.

After completion of a trade school program, you may be able to show your current or future employer a certificate that proves your knowledge and skills in the industry. This can allow you to aim for a higher salary than you previously had.

Another benefit of studying at a trade school, besides the short period of time that it takes to complete a program, is that graduates will enter the workforce in your desired industry faster than if you were to choose another type of educational institution.

Opportunities After Studying at a Trade School

Choosing a program at a trade school to start building your career path will allow you to get a steady job with potential for growth in your industry. This is because you will reach a sense of self-sufficiency much quicker due to your hands-on training. This sense of self-sufficiency could eventually lead you to the path of entrepreneurship.

I Want to Study at A Trade School – Now What?

If you feel ready to choose a program that will teach you the skills you want to learn and develop, you can start by looking at trade schools near you or trade schools that offer the programs you like.

Some trade schools offer scholarships and/or financial aid to help you pay for tuition. When in doubt, reach out by calling or by sending an email. Don’t let any doubt stop you from enrolling in a program that will help you build a successful career in the industry you want.

If you have questions about our programs, we encourage you to reach out – we will be happy to provide answers for you!