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Vocational School: Accredited Trade Schools, Vocational Education, Career Training, Technical Schools

Vocational schools and trade schools are schools that train students to be competent in a certain vocation or trade. Unlike universities or colleges, most vocational schools and trade schools do not teach liberal arts subjects such as philosophy, humanities, etc. Instead, vocational and trade schools prepare students for a career in a specific vocation or trade, such as fashion design, electronics, automotive technology, and aircraft maintenance. The choices are virtually endless.

Most vocational schools and trade schools admit students who have successfully earned their high school diploma or GED, although there are exceptions. A vocational or trade school can have a narrow focus, as in the case of a culinary school, or it can offer a wide selection of majors and training programs. The credentials a student is awarded upon graduation include an associate degree, bachelor degree, a diploma, and specialized certificates. These degrees, diplomas and certificates are earned after completing courses in the classroom or lab and, sometimes, after completing a field apprenticeship.

The purpose of attending a vocational school or trade school is to obtain practical training and skills which you can utilize in the real world. It is important, therefore, to choose a vocational school or trade school that offers a program that will best prepare you for your future career.

Vocational School and Trade School Accreditation

In the past, some unscrupulous owners operated vocational schools and trade schools which were below par, thus casting a dark cloud over the entire vocational education industry. These schools were guilty of misleading advertising, false promises, sub-par education facilities, unqualified instructors, outdated curriculums, etc.

Fortunately, government agencies and other authorities have clamped down on these unscrupulous vocational schools and trade schools recently, putting many out of business. However, it is still extremely important to fully research any vocational school or trade school you are considering enrolling in. One of the ways to do this is to check the school’s accreditation. We discourage students from enrolling in any vocational or trade schools that are not properly accredited.

The U.S. Department of Education provides a list of recognized accrediting agencies and bodies. Some are regional accrediting agencies while others are national agencies specializing in a certain form of education, such as cosmetology or radiology. We strongly suggest beginning your research on vocational schools and trade schools on the U.S. Department of Education's accrediting agencies page.

Choosing the Right Vocational School or Trade School

As previously mentioned above, vocational schools and trade schools exist to provide students with the tools to learn real skills that can be applied in the real world. While most vocational schools and trade schools are reputable and succeed in teaching students the skills required to obtain a job in that respective field, there are some schools that fall short.

Vocational schools and trade schools that promise more than they can deliver should be avoided at all costs. These schools are only driven by increasing profits, with little regard for the future of their students. Many of these schools mislead prospective students by overstating future job prospects and earning potential. They may also lie about their connections to prospective employers and job-training programs. These schools may also lie about the qualifications of their instructors. It is important to thoroughly research a vocational school or trade school before enrolling.

16 Key Questions to Ask While Researching Vocational Schools and Trade Schools:

Before visiting the vocational school or trade school

  • Is the vocational school or trade school you are considering accredited by a reputable accrediting agency?

  • Is the vocational school or trade school properly licensed in the state in which it is operating?

  • What are the admissions requirements and how does it compare to similar vocational schools and trade schools?

  • Do other schools allow students to transfer credit from the vocational school or trade school you are considering?

  • What is the crime rate like at the vocational school or trade school you are considering and how does it compare to other schools

  • Does the vocational school or trade school have any complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau, the Department of Consumer Affairs, or the Department of Education?

  • Are the fees being charged by a vocational school or trade school in-line with the fees at other comparable schools?

  • What do potential employers in your chosen industry think about vocational school or trade school programs you are researching and would they hire graduates from that school?

While visiting the vocational school or trade school

  • Do the vocational school instructors seem knowledgeable and do they teach effectively?

  • Do students enrolled in the vocational school or trade school you are considering like the programs and recommend it?

  • Do current students feel that they are learning what they need to know to get a good job in the future?

  • What do current students say about the instructors on campus?

  • Have students had any issues or problems with the school, the curriculum, the instructors, or the facilities?

  • What do the current students like the most and the least about the vocational school or trade school?

  • What percentage of students successfully complete their programs?

  • Is it possible to obtain a list of past students whom you can contact?

Back to Vocational Schools and Trade Schools.