Shortly after high school graduation, young adults find themselves amongst many career opportunities to pursue, that the choice of what to do next in life is often overwhelming and daunting. Choosing a career early in life is very important. Nevertheless, the path to achieving that career goal is not always a straight line. Go to school right away or take a gap year? Traditional education or vocational school? 

While the traditional 4-year college education offers relevant knowledge mixed with elective courses, the vocational school offers hands-on skills that are applicable in work situations right away. These schools allow students to skip unrelated general education classes and start specific classes to gain the skills they are looking to obtain. Vocational schools are very popular among students who want to fast-track into a highly skilled and well-paid career. This form of education is also perfect for adult students looking to advance in their current careers or even make a change of career too. 

As you already know, trades have a long history and even the newest wave of vocational trades is in high demand and represents some of the most rewarding job opportunities. Before making a final decision, take your time to evaluate all options and possibilities. Here are the top ten reasons why you should attend a vocational/trade school. 

#1 VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS ARE COST EFFECTIVE 

With an average bachelor degree cost of $91,304 to $179,000 depending on where you attend, vocational schools cost just a fraction of this. Vocational schools offer a variety of programs at different lengths which translates into major savings in tuition and school supplies. Many trading schools even include the cost of the textbooks into their tuition rates which allows students to calculate their education expenses more accurately. Besides, it’s common practice for students to live at home while attending a trading school which, in turn, allows them to save a significant amount of money on living and accommodation fees. 

#2 NO UNNECESSARY CLASSES 

Regular university programs require their students to take general education classes outside of their primary field of studies such as literature, history, statistics, and foreign languages. Trading schools offer specialized courses that are relevant to their field. While avoiding unnecessary classes students save money, time and frustration altogether. 

The greater part of vocational programs takes less than two years to complete and they offer opportunities to high school students and adults to switch jobs easier. The classes give students enough skills for an entry-level position in their given trade and a graduate can start earning right away. 

#3 VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS HAVE HIGHER EMPLOYMENT RATE 

These programs prepare a person for the job market, so most often graduates are prepared to accept a job offer immediately after graduation. Furthermore, most vocational schools work with employers in the industry they give education within. The graduate is ready to transition to the job as soon as they are done with the education part thanks to the training approach they receive at school. Trading schools rely on specific industry situations, equipping the workforce with technical job skills. 

#4 A WIDE ARRAY OF OPTIONS 

Vocational schools cater to a broader array of potential subjects than many students realize. Common post-secondary school options are: 

• Business and office
• Technical education (computers and data processing, communication technologies, engineering and science technologies) 
• Marketing 
• Health 
• Trade and industry
• Agriculture 
• Culinary arts

This education trains students for jobs that are relatively stable and difficult to export. If graduates decide to return back to college later in life and pursue a full bachelor’s degree, they will be able to build on the credits they received in trade school. 

#5 THE FUTURE OF TRADES IS BRIGHT 

According to this article, several medical and tech jobs show up high on the list of high-paying jobs that are predicted to see a large amount of employment growth such as medical assistants, massage therapists, web developers, etc. Lots of people who go to traditional 4-year colleges will end up working positions that don’t require a degree. Make sure to avoid this mistake. 

#6 TRADING SCHOOLS AS A PATH OF SELF-SUFFICIENCY 

Even though trade schools are meant for students who already know exactly what they want to be, it can also be a great place for learners who are less certain of their career path. Trade schools enable students to find early employment and pursue their true passion at their own pace. 

#7 FLEXIBLE SCHEDULES 

Plenty of vocational schools offer day and evening classes, both, for those that have other responsibilities during the day. If you have a day job or you care for a family member, the flexible schedules of the vocational schools may be right for you. 

#8 THE CHANCES OF GRADUATING ARE HIGH 

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 40% of the students who enroll in traditional colleges do not graduate within the 4-year span. On another note, only 2% of the vocational school students fail to graduate within the course duration. That’s the case because the programs are short, which encourages a high level of concentration and performance. 

#9 SMALL CLASSES 

The trading school’s classrooms have fewer students than most of the traditional colleges and universities. Teachers will offer thorough training with the much needed supervised hands-on experience. Smaller classes mean the creation of bonding relationships with fellow students and teachers is much higher. The networking in the classroom is the next level and this helps when it’s time to finally land a job. 

#10 YOU HAVE THE OPTION TO STUDY ONLINE 

There are numerous trade schools operating in the US which offer vocational trading opportunities online for specific courses. That means students with career responsibilities have the opportunity to pursue an additional skillset they need without the time commitment to travel back-and-forth to classes. Some online classes are even cheaper too, which means you can receive the education you need while saving some money at the same time.