If you’re looking to change careers or considering what to do after high school, trade schools offer a great education and skills training to prepare you for a new career. Many people prefer to attend trade school as an alternative to a 4-year college since it is a shorter program.
Programs at trade school prepare you for a job in a way an undergraduate program can’t. These are highly skilled, professional roles in fields ranging from healthcare and HVAC to technology and beyond. So, what is a trade school?
What Is a Trade School?
Trade schools are also known as vocational or technical schools. They are educational institutions that issue associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates in specific fields. The programs offered at a trade school are built around a particular industry.
The skills you gain throughout your program are meant to prepare you for the workforce. Your time is not wasted by studying philosophical subjects or meeting elective requirements. Instead, the purpose of trade school is to teach you a particular trade in an industry you’re passionate about.
Part of trade school includes deciding on a career path prior to enrolling. You will have a career roadmap laid out before you, and completing the program is the first part to achieving your dream job.
Why Go to a Trade School?
You may decide to go to trade school if you are passionate about a particular field that needs hands-on training. There are many trade jobs that require certifications and diplomas that you can only acquire through a vocational school.
Trade school prepares you to enter several fields, and the skills you develop ensure you can easily enter the workforce and meet all the expectations of your employer. Led by professional instructors, students get individual support from real-world experts who have turned their passion for their industries into a teaching career.
Trade school is also great for those who wish to change fields or who want to find work as soon as possible. Rather than investing two to four years in education, trade school programs can be completed in months, rather than years.
What Are Some of the Programs a Trade School Offers?
There are dozens of trades to choose from, and each school offers its own selection. Some schools specialize in particular trade, like cosmetology or veterinary medicine. While others offer a variety of programs, giving students plenty of options to choose from.
Medical Assistant
Medical assistants provide administrative support in healthcare settings. They ensure that the daily operations of a medical facility run smoothly. From answering phones and scheduling appointments to greeting patients and recordkeeping, medical assistants are trained to support members of a healthcare team.
In a medical assistant trade school program, students earn medical assistant certificates that qualify them to become a certified medical assistant (CMA). The curriculum includes subjects like:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Medical Terminology
- Phlebotomy
- Pharmacology
- Laboratory Procedures
- Medical Billing and Coding
- Healthcare Administration
- Medical Office Administration
- Microsoft Office Suite and Medical Writing Skills
HVAC
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning is one of the most popular trade school programs. Completing training allows students to earn their HVAC license and begin working as part of a company or as an independent contractor.
Working as an HVAC technician is an active, engaging, and hands-on career that always presents exciting new challenges. Throughout their training, students will learn:
- HVAC basics
- Heating principles
- Air conditioning science
- The ventilation process, including ductwork and system management
- Diagnostics and repair techniques
- Tools of the trade and how to use them
- Installation procedures for residential, commercial, and industrial HVAC equipment
- License and EPA 608 Universal Certification exam preparation
The EPA 608 Universal Certification is separate from the state license exam. It ensures that HVAC technicians know how to handle and work with systems that use refrigerant, the substance that cools air in an HVAC system.
With several career opportunities and programs, students of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy the flexibility of an HVAC trade school.
Vocational Nursing
For those who are passionate about helping others, a vocational nursing diploma can help them enter the healthcare field. A licensed vocational nurse (LVN) offers basic medical care to patients in clinics, offices, and hospitals.
Their primary roles include supporting nurses and doctors by monitoring patients’ vitals, helping them with wound care, feeding, grooming, and performing simple lab tests. An LVN certificate program teaches students:
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Preventative Nursing
- Rehabilitative Skills
- Nursing Interventional Skills
- Introductory and Intermediate Pharmacology
- Therapeutic Nursing Skills
In addition to classroom instruction, LVN students perform clinical rounds that help them get hands-on experience with patients in real healthcare settings.
Network Engineer
A crucial IT role, the network engineer designs, develops, and builds networks for companies. They employ the latest programming and hardware skills to provide ongoing solutions and support to their employers.
A network engineer troubleshoots and repairs local area networks (LAN) in several settings, including commercial buildings and government facilities. They are skilled technology professionals who play a vital role in a company’s computer security and efficiency.
IT departments are growing rapidly as companies continue to adopt the latest technology; through trade schools, a network engineer can earn leading certifications in their field, including the CompTIA authorized academy certifications and Microsoft Azure certification.
What Are the Benefits of a Trade School?
In addition to a quality education, trade school offers students several additional benefits.
Industry Experienced Instructors
First and foremost, there is access to one-on-one support from real professionals. An expert faculty with decades of combined experience brings learners all the inside knowledge and skills training they need to succeed from day one.
Prepare for Certifications and Licenses
Certification exams and prep courses ensure that students are prepared to thrive beyond the classroom. By preparing in school, students get the feedback they need to build confidence and prepare for any licensing and certification exams they may need prior to starting their new job.
Career Services
Career services are also a pillar of trade school services. While the teaching faculty offer plenty of support and guidance, the career services department goes a step further. Students can turn to career services any time for advice on how to find the right jobs for them, resume help, interview practice and much more.
Network with Classmates
Trade schools also give students a warm, welcoming environment to study with like-minded, passionate people. Together, classmates inspire and encourage one another while tackling hands-on training exercises.
Want to Learn More?
Are you interested in attending a trade school? CyberTex offers short-term training programs in the Information Technology, Medical, Healthcare, and Construction Trades fields. We are a student-centric institute that equips students with workplace skills for initial employment, paving the way for desired and financially stable careers. Our goal is to empower our students, including veterans, to make a meaningful contribution to themselves, their families, and their community. Contact us today to learn more.
