Increasing Popularity in Trade Schools

Gone are the days when a university degree was the ticket to a great job and a bright future. In the dog-eat-dog world of today, what you really need to succeed is a 'marketable' degree, one that will assure potential employers of your competitiveness in the wild, wild market.

Research proves that the average employer of today is more impressed by the practical experience of a potential employee rather than in high-sounding degrees.

It is in such a scenario that technical and trade schools are celebrating their heyday. With its focus on equipping students to face the demands of the workaday world, trade schools perfectly span the rift between theory and application. Courses in a trade school are designed to provide hands on experience and maximum exposure to real world situations. Also visit Growing Trends in Trade Schools Over Four Year Universities for other additional information regarding an education at a vocational or technical school.

Trends in Trade School Enrollment

One of the most obvious reasons for the sudden surge in popularity of trade schools is the exodus of baby boomers (and consequently the absence of their expertise) from the workforce.

In 2004, almost 1 million jobs went unfilled because applicants did not possess the requisite skill sets. Though there were definitely much more than a million graduates in the U.S., employers hesitated to hire candidates who did not have prior work knowledge and experience.

A survey organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Center in 2002 reported that more than 75 percent employers faced severe conditions when seeking to hire qualified workers. 40 percent said that applicants were poorly skilled, while another 30 percent reported that applicants possessed the wrong skills.

Then in 2004, the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau's survey showed that almost one-third of the fastest growing occupations are those that require an associate's degree or a postsecondary vocational (read trade school) certificate.

Advantages of Attending a Trade School

Many Americans suffer from the false notion that attending a university is much more prestigious than studying at a trade school. Somehow, there's a feeling that technical programs are meant for those who did not and could not make it to university.

While that may have been the case until a decade or so ago, things have rapidly changed. If you're clear about where you want to go and which trade you want to be in, a technical course would definitely prove to be an advantageous option. Read this article in the Miami Herald for additional information regarding trades school popularity and look at some of the obvious benefits!

You save time
Trade school courses provide subject-intensive training. The focus is on providing relevant training and so the curriculum tends to leave out a lot of abstruse theory. Courses are generally of shorter duration and you'll be able to start your career almost 2-3 years ahead than if you opted for university.

You save money
Courses in trade schools take lesser tine to complete than courses in a university. This essentially means that you will be spending less money on tuition and boarding. The short duration of the course also allows you to start earning well ahead of your peers. On an average, a trade school student spends almost 60-70% less than a university student!

You will be up-to-date
Trade schools consistently revise their curricula to keep pace with the newer demands of the industry. So, you will have a working knowledge of the most recent equipments and trends in the work world.

You will hone your natural skills
If you are choosing a specific program, chances are that you are doing it because you already have a natural inclination for the subject. Attending a trade school will help you to improve upon your natural skills and become a seasoned professional.

You get hands-on training
With its strong focus on training rather than on education, technical degrees ensure that students become industry-relevant. Classes tend to be more shop based than lecture based. In fact, in many schools, the classroom environment simulates the workplace atmosphere in terms of methodologies and equipments. This stress on practical knowledge means that a technical school graduate literally has his/her foot in the industry!

Your learning atmosphere is more personalized
A trade school is a great place to meet like-minded people and build strong networks that will stay with you for life. Batches are generally smaller, allowing you to get personalized attention and enabling you to spend more time being coached.

Be Up for the Grabs!
A survey conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that by the year 2010, there will be approximately 2.3 million unfilled jobs in various skilled trades. So, if you've been considering a trade school, this is the perfect time to go for it.

[return to main articles page]

site search