The primary purpose of successful education for many people in today’s world is to get a job and earn good money. To fulfil this purpose, every year, millions of high school seniors follow the conventional route to get a traditional college degree. But these degrees come with a heavy cost and a four-year commitment. This may not be a feasible investment for everyone. Thankfully, there are institutions which offer an alternative and a less conventional educational approach. They cost much less and require a shorter time commitment than a traditional degree.

If you are someone with the primary focus to quickly skill-up and enter the job market, a trade school might be the perfect fit for you. However, you must understand the various aspects of signing up for a trade school before determining if it is right for you.

To better understand your suitability, we give you a complete overview of trade schools and answer the following important questions in this article:

1. What is Trade School?
2. What Can You Learn at Trade School?
3. What are the Benefits of Going to Trade School?
4. Are You Eligible to Attend Trade School?
5. How Much Does Trade School Education Cost?
6. What are the Highest-paying Trade Jobs?
7. Is Trade School Right for You?

What is Trade School?

When we talk about trade school, one thing we must clarify before all else is the meaning of ‘trade’, since it could mean one of two things. It can mean the actual exchange of goods that takes place around the world or it could mean one’s career or vocation. In this instance, it means the latter.

A trade school, also known as vocational, technical or career school, is an educational institution that is structured to concentrate on the development of your skills in a specific trade. A trade school, by design, focuses more on hands-on training to teach you the technical skills required to quickly transition into the workforce after completing the course.

You can join a trade school directly after your secondary or post-secondary education. Unlike traditional colleges, you do not get a degree on completion of a program at a trade school. Instead, trade schools award a certificate or diploma to successful candidates. A certificate from a trade school enables you to work as an employee, as a freelancer or to set up your own business.

What Can You Learn at Trade School?

Initially, trade schools were set up as institutions to train the students who wanted to get into a traditional technical trade. These trades were symbolized by professionals like electricians, auto mechanics, welders, carpenters, plumbers, construction workers, etc. However, the trades which can be found at trade schools today have broadened. Now, available courses include many other high-tech specialties such as air traffic control, avionics, and wind turbine installation.

If you live in the UK and you are interested in enrolling for a trade school, you can browse Trades Courses. They have trained more than a quarter of a million people in the Building and Construction industry itself. Even in case you don’t know exactly which trade to enrol for, you can get expert advice from them for free.

Some of the jobs you can take up after studying at trade school include:

• Electrician
• Elevator mechanic
• HVAC (Heat, Ventilation, Air Condoning) technician
• Dental hygienist
• Computer technician
• Chef
• Pharmacy technician
• Radiation technician
• Cosmetologist
• Graphic designer
• Massage therapist
• Beautician
• Administrative assistant
• Carpenter
• Car mechanic
• Legal assistant
• Welder

As you can see, the list of available trades is vast and so are your choices. Each occupation varies in its employment opportunities, salary and career growth prospects. You should spend ample amounts of time thinking about which occupation best fits you before deciding on one.

What are the Benefits of Going to a Trade School?

Trade schools have been growing in popularity due to their focus on courses which are industry-oriented and highly practical. They are designed to mirror real-life situations such as laying the foundation of a house, plumbing a new bathroom or rewiring a house. Such courses allow for better career prospects and opportunities for immediate employment. The time it takes after trade school to get your first paycheck is also shorter than it is after most traditional schooling. The high demand for trade workers also leads to relatively high wages that grow over time.

Trade schools are a more streamlined and affordable option as compared to traditional colleges. They are less expensive than traditional colleges and they can also save you time. Usually, the longest course in a trade school lasts two years, while traditional degrees take four years.

The stability of skilled trades is another benefit. With a vocation, you can respond to a real and constant need. The results-driven, hands-on work of these positions also contrasts sharply against many white-collar jobs that many consider increasingly meaningless or lacking purpose. In addition, trade schools with strong industry ties can smoothen the way to job placement. This type of education tends to prepare graduates for more recession- and future-proof work.

How Much Does a Trade School Education Cost?

Here’s the short answer: it varies.

By how much?

Well, tuition fees can range anywhere from $1,000 to over $70,000 per year. In the US, a trade school education costs about $33,000 on average. This cost is best understood in comparison to a traditional four-year college degree. The cost of an entire trade school education is roughly equivalent to the price of a single year’s tuition at a four-year college, which is $127,000 for a bachelor’s degree.

Multiple factors contribute to the cost variables in trade school programs. To best understand the cost of education at a trade school, consider these key factors:

• Your country and state
• Institution type – public or private
• Program type
• Program duration
• Enrollment type – online/part-time/full-time

What are the Highest-paying Trade Jobs?

Trade job salaries can compete with and sometimes even outperform the salaries of degree holders. Here are the top 10 incomes for the highest paying trade jobs:

Trade Job	Median Annual Salary
Air Traffic Controller	$124,540
Construction Manager	$95,260
Radiation Therapists	$82,330
Elevator Mechanic	$79,780
Dental Hygienist	$76,220
Home Inspector	$60,710
Electrician	$56,180
Plumber	$55,160
Ironworker	$53,650
Carpenter	$48,330

Is a Trade School Right for You?

Common wisdom advises you to go to a traditional college for some good reasons. However, trade school remains the best choice for students who decide that their ambitions and long-term goals are best met by the quicker and more affordable route that trade schools offer.

The decision to pursue higher education is a turning point in your life. Choosing correctly sets a precedent for the rest of your career. Remember, research is key. Get thorough and ample amounts of information regarding your course from the trade schools you are interested in enrolling for before making a concrete decision.