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Trade School vs. Career-Focused Colleges and Universities

Are you considering a trade school to get into the workforce fast? Learn about trade schools, their pros and cons, and alternatives like a career-focused college.

Trades jobs, also known as skilled trades, are hands-on careers that require specialized skills and training, but do not require an advanced college degree. Examples of skilled trades include welding, construction, plumbing, massage therapy, graphic design, and even respiratory care.

Increasingly, research shows that trades professions are some of the most lucrative pathways to pursue, as they are chock full of job opportunities and salary benefits. A recent survey from Thumbtack, for example, over 90 percent of professionals in trade jobs felt positively about their:

  • Earning potential
  • Job stability
  • Upward mobility
  • Upskilling opportunities

And according to the experts, now is a great time to enter this type of career. Marco Zappacosta, CEO and cofounder of Thumbtack, explained, “There’s never been a better time to enter the trades… With a lower barrier to entry than in the past and incredible demand for people to fill these roles, expertise in the trades is a future-proof career.”

To enter a trades profession, you do not need to complete the traditional, four-year college degree. Trades professions typically only mandate a year or two of training, and can be achieved through a career-focused college, university, or trades school. What are these institutions, exactly, and how do they differ? Learn more about trades schools and career colleges below.

What is a trade school?

Trade schools, also known as technical schools or vocational schools, provide practical training related to specialized careers. Unlike traditional colleges and universities, trade schools do not require generalized education courses but instead offer concentrated coursework and experiences related to specific jobs.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, trade schools focus on “career and technical education.” The classes offered in a trades school are typically very hands-on and directly correlate to a student’s chosen profession. The goal of a trades school education is to prepare students for entry-level careers in their fields.
Trade schools are a great option for individuals who know exactly what they want to do in their careers and who do not need a college degree to accomplish their career goals.

However, it’s important to note that trades schools can be limited in their program offerings. The programs offered in trades schools typically include automotive training, HVAC, culinary arts, computer technology, cosmetology, massage therapy, plumbing, electrician training, and entry-level healthcare pathways.

Most trade schools only offer diplomas and certificates, as college degrees are not required for their focal career paths. Furthermore, the credits earned in trade schools typically do not transfer to other academic programs. That means, if you wish to continue your college career down the road, your previously earned trade school education will not count towards your future degree.

Overall, trades schools are great options for those seeking fast workforce entry and career readiness. Trade school programs take between a few months and two years to complete, therefore providing a faster educational track that’s a short time and financial investment (when compared to a four-year college degree). However, there are constraints with a trade school education, including the limited program offerings and growth opportunities available. So, be sure to consider your options carefully.

While trades schools are a great option for many, there are alternatives that can also provide you with career-oriented training and quick entry into a hands-on, in-demand career. Enter: career-focused colleges and universities.

 

Learn about Goodwin’s career-focused degree and certificate programs.

 

What is a career-focused college?

Career-focused colleges and universities are postsecondary institutions that provide comprehensive educational experiences for students interested in specialized career paths. These schools focus on providing skills-based training and education to prepare students for careers they love. Students gain a blend of hands-on exercises, in-field training, classroom lectures, and career placement services in a career-focused school.
While the goals of these schools are similar, career-focused colleges are different from trades schools in that they offer a broader range of courses and program offerings.

Career-focused colleges offer both technical training (like trades schools) as well as generalized courses that build proficiency in critical thinking, leadership, theory, ethics, and other important job skills. Employers increasingly value these “soft skills” as much as the practical, job-specific skills gained in a trades school.

Unlike a typical liberal arts education, though, career-focused colleges promote hands-on experience and internships in real-world work settings, through programs like in business administration, manufacturing or machining, and healthcare (such as nursing, medical assisting, respiratory therapy, and more).

Career-focused colleges also offer various degree paths, including the options to earn a:

  • Fast-track certificate
  • Two-year associate degree
  • Flexible bachelor’s degree
  • Master’s degree

With these options, students have the ability to expand their educational horizons, qualify for upper-level careers, or stay the course of a fast-paced, career-focused program that can be completed in just several months. No matter the program you choose, accredited career-focused colleges and universities offer the ability to transfer undergraduate credits to future pursuits, should you decide to earn another degree later in life.

Goodwin University is a career-focused school with a variety of degree and certificate programs available to incoming students. All of our programs are designed to be flexible, allowing you to complete your coursework on your own terms:

Classes are offered online, on-campus, and in a hybrid format
Evening and weekend classes are available to accommodate working students
Faster degree completion with three academic sessions each year — full-time students have the potential to earn a bachelor’s degree in as few as three years

Additionally, there are many types of financial aid you can receive from a career-focused college like Goodwin University. For example, we offer scholarships, grants, federal loans, work study jobs, and veteran’s educational benefits. An estimated 98 percent of our students receive financial aid and we offer one of the lowest tuition costs among private, non-profit colleges in the state of Connecticut.

Career-focused college vs. trade school: Which is right for you?

If you are goal-oriented and have a career in mind for your future, a trade school or career-focused college can offer the most direct path to employment.

Both trade schools and career-focused colleges are great options for students interested in pursuing a fast-track towards a skilled trades career. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your needs and professional goals. Ask yourself:

  • Which career am I interested in pursuing?
  • Does the school offer my program of study?
  • Does the school offer the award I need to qualify for a career in this field?
  • Which curriculum provides me with the most comprehensive skillset for my career?
  • Is there a possibility I will need to continue my education in the future?
  • How much flexibility do I need in an educational program?
  • Will I receive career placement services and mentorship throughout my schooling?

Answer these questions and you will be well on your way to beginning your journey towards a career you love. If you would like to learn more about the career-focused programs at Goodwin University, do not hesitate to reach out. You can learn more by visiting us online here, or calling 800-889-3282 today.