What Is a Trade School?

What is a trade school?

They’re where professional tradespeople are created, teaching hands-on skills used by pros that work in the skilled trades, energy and transportation. These fields include industries like automotive, manufacturing, energy, healthcare and technology.

Trade schools offer post-secondary education to help prepare individuals for these types of careers.¹ They typically provide shorter, more affordable and more specialized programming.

The United States is currently experiencing a skilled labor shortage. That means there are a lot of hands-on career opportunities.

So keep reading to learn all about trade school, how it compares to traditional college and how to make the right choice for your future!

Key Summary Points

• Trade school overview: Trade schools, also known as vocational or technical schools, offer programs designed to prepare students for specific skilled trades careers, such as automotive repair, welding, healthcare and technology. These programs are focused, hands-on and often take less time to complete than traditional four-year college degrees.¹⁸
• Skilled trades demand: There is a significant demand for skilled tradespeople in various industries, including automotive, manufacturing, healthcare and construction. This demand is driven by a skilled labor shortage in the United States, making trade school graduates highly sought after for their specialized skills.
• Education and training: Trade schools provide a focused education designed to equip students with the practical skills needed for their chosen trade. Programs can range from eight months to two years with some, like Universal Technical Institute's CNC Machining Technology training program, taking as little as 36 weeks to complete. No prior experience is typically required, as trade schools teach students everything from the ground up.
• Benefits of trade school: Attending trade school offers several advantages, including a shorter and often less expensive education path, hands-on learning experiences and direct preparation for entry-level positions in various trades. Additionally, many trade schools offer career assistance, networking opportunities and financial aid options to help students succeed post-graduation.
• Trade school vs. traditional college: Trade school is a viable alternative to traditional college for individuals interested in pursuing careers in skilled trades. Unlike college, which requires general education courses, trade school programs are highly specialized and focused on preparing students for specific careers. This can be a more efficient and cost-effective path for those who are clear about their career goals in skilled trades.

Trade School Definition

What does trade school offer? Trade schools—also called career schools, vocational schools or technical schools—offer curricula based on a specific skilled trade. Students typically need to have at least graduated high school or have the equivalent of a high school education, like a GED, to attend trade school.

The purpose of trade schools is to deliver a focused education that equips students with skills specific to a particular occupation. Oftentimes, these tend to be hands-on careers, such as cosmetology, automotive repair or carpentry.

Trade schools teach students everything they need to know from the ground up. So, in most cases, no prior experience or training is needed.

Read: Five Ways To Discover Your Trade at Our National Open House

What Are Trade Schools and How Do They Work?

Unlike traditional four-year universities that require classes and electives in subjects students may never apply to their careers, trade schools focus on the industries students are preparing to work in. Students get hands-on training to prepare them for work in their chosen trade.

Trade school is also often shorter than traditional college, around nine months to two years. Some trade school programs, like Universal Technical Institute’s (UTI) Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machining Technology training program, take as little as 36 weeks to complete.

Read: Create Your Future With Our CNC Machining Technology Program

What Do You Do at Trade School?

Trade schools teach students the theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills needed to enter the skilled trades as qualified, skilled technicians.

In auto mechanic school, for example, students will be taught the skills they need to be an entry-level automotive technician. Classes may be a combination of in-person lectures, online training and hands-on application in a lab using real equipment. Students take courses like Introduction to Engines, Manual Transmissions, and Steering and Suspension Systems.

In welding training school, you can learn how to become an entry-level welder. This type of trade school teaches a variety of welding techniques, like GMAW, GTAW, SMAW, oxy/fuel and FCAW welding.

At any type of trade school you attend, from dental hygienist trade school to marine mechanic school, you can expect to be prepared to pursue an entry-level position in your chosen trade after graduation. Look at the curriculum a technical school offers to see if it aligns with your career goals.

Read: Trade Schools & the GI Bill®: A 2023 How-To Guide

Types of Trade Schools

For skilled trades that aren’t taught at traditional colleges, you might be able to find vocational college programs for them. There are also vocational schools devoted to subjects that may be taught at traditional four-year universities, but that have shortened programs because they’re focused on a particular subject. Some types of trade schools include:

• Cosmetology
• Electrical maintenance and installation
• Collision repair
• Carpentry
• Welding
• Computer technology
• Massage therapy
• CNC machining
• Hotel and restaurant management
• Motorcycle repair and maintenance
• Floral design
• Automotive repair and maintenance
• Locksmithing
• Diesel maintenance and repair
• Culinary arts
• Marine maintenance and repair
• Nursing

Trade schools can be both broader in a subject for entry-level positions, or more specific for advancement in an industry. For example, at UTI there are Manufacturer-Specific Advanced Training programs for automotive, diesel, marine and motorcycle students who want to specialize in certain brands.

The four-year college experience isn’t for everyone. For many people who pursue the skilled trades, they find careers that are meaningful that take far less time and money to study for in a trade school. With a trade school education, you can pursue an entry-level position and go on to grow a career in the field or use what you’ve learned to start your own business.⁶

Read: 5 Steps to Choosing the Right Welding School

The Difference Between Trade School, Technical School and Vocational School

When looking into any type of trade school, you’ll probably hear the terms “technical school” and “vocational school” used quite often. But what do they mean, and how do they differ from trade schools? Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Trade schools: Secondary schools that teach the skilled trades. Typically focus on hands-on careers that require a base-level certification or a certain number of on-the-job hours to qualify.
• Technical schools: Institutions that offer certain certifications and associate’s degrees needed to enter technical job fields. While trade schools tend to offer more hands-on training, tech schools often follow traditional classroom lectures and job training. In some cases, they may offer a broader education, with a special focus on occupation-specific skills – however, this can vary from school to school.
• Vocational schools: Refers to both tech and trade schools. Vocational degrees are designed to equip students with the skills they need to enter their field of choice immediately, or within a few years.

These three terms are commonly used interchangeably. However, it can be helpful to know the differences and how programs compare to one another when making your decision.

Read: 5 Skills You Can Learn in Robotics & Automation Training School

What Careers Do Trade Schools Help Prepare You For?

There are hundreds of career possibilities you can pursue with trade school program completion. Some examples of trade school careers include:

• Automotive, diesel or motorcycle technician
• Baker
• Bartender
• Chef
• CNC machinist
• Collision repairer
• Construction worker
• Dental hygienist
• Diesel technician
• Electrician
• Fitness or yoga instructor
• Florist
• Graphic designer
• Hairdresser
• Hotel or restaurant manager
• HVAC technician
• Industrial maintenance technician
• Licensed vocational nurse
• Locksmith
• Makeup artist
• Marine mechanic
• Masseuse
• Paralegal
• Plumber
• Robotics technician
• Safety technician
• Technology specialist
• Welder
• Wind mechanic

Read: 5 Reasons You Should Consider Going to Diesel Mechanic School

Salaries for Common Trade Careers

According to the Bureau Labor of Statistics (BLS), the national median salaries for different careers in the skilled trades, energy and transportation are as follows:

●     Automotive: $47,770²⁵

●     Diesel: $58,970²⁹

●     Welding: $48,940²⁶

●     CNC machining: $48,550³⁴

●     Collision repair: $48,740²⁸

●     Marine: $49,990³¹

●     Motorcycle: $46,270³⁰

●     Aviation: $75,020⁵⁷

●     Wind: $61,770⁶¹

●     Industrial maintenance: $61,420⁶⁰

●     Non-destructive testing: $73,500⁶²

●     Robotics & automation: $65,080⁵⁹

Keep in mind that these figures are not entry-level, and are dependent on factors like experience, employer, demand and local cost of living.

Interested in working in any of these fields? Universal Technical Institute trains aspiring technicians or welders like you to build skills employers in these industries need. And becoming a qualified technician helps a lot when it comes to applying for entry-level career roles.

How Long Does Trade School Take?

Trade school length will depend on the program. Typically, trade schools for a specific subject will take anywhere from 8 months to 2 years.

For those who don’t yet have a high school diploma or GED, some trade schools like UTI will offer GED assistance to help students get their GED so they can apply.

Read: 5 Reasons You Should Consider Going to Diesel Mechanic School

What Are the Advantages of a Trade School?

If you’re interested in a skilled trade, there are many advantages to choosing a trade school for post-secondary education. These include:

• Time: Trade school is typically a much shorter program than a four-year education. You can complete your education and prepare to begin a professional career earlier out of high school by choosing a trade school.
• Money: Because they’re shorter programs, trade schools are also typically less expensive than four-year schools. Plus, with financial aid available like scholarships and grants for eligible students and employer-paid tuition reimbursement, you could get part or even all of your trade school paid for if you qualify.^10,14
• Career assistance: At trade schools like UTI, you get more than just the skills you need to pursue an entry-level position after graduation. UTI representatives are dedicated to helping students get jobs. With skilled trades-focused career fairs, early employment assistance, and a wide network of employers looking to hire UTI students, the level of career services dedication at a trade school like UTI is a major benefit to students.³⁶
• Focused education: There’s no requirement to take classes in subjects you aren’t interested in at a trade school. Instead, you get to focus on the subject you are interested in, the one you want to work in throughout your career. At some traditional four-year colleges, you may have to spend six months to two years taking liberal studies courses or electives that don’t relate to your career goals.
• Classroom & lab experience: Since trade school education is dedicated to a specific subject, the classroom environment also mimics a real-world work environment. Students get hands-on training with the equipment and tools that are used in the field. Students can practice, learn and make mistakes in a supportive, true-to-life environment that goes beyond the typical college classroom.
• Networking: Another cool aspect of trade school is that all of your fellow classmates share your passion for what you’re studying. This adds to the networking opportunities you’ll find in trade school for your career. The common bond also can lead to friendships that help you throughout school and last a lifetime.

Trade schools are good options both for people coming out of high school and for adults who want to learn a skilled trade for a more fulfilling career. Most trade schools will offer free in-person and virtual tours so you can see for yourself if the training environment is a fit.

Read: What To Expect From Auto Mechanic School

What About Community Colleges or Four-Year Universities?

For those who decide to take the college route, there are several different options: community colleges and private or public universities.

Four-year universities

In college, you typically spend the first half of your program completing general education courses. This may include math, history, English and science courses. These classes most likely will not directly relate to your career but are designed to give you a broad knowledge and give you flexibility to decide what major you want to go into as you get further into your program.

Earning an associate’s degree from a community college typically takes around two years to complete, while a bachelor’s degree takes about four years. After graduating, students can either begin working in the field or decide to further their education with graduate programs. Many complete internships during or after their program in order to gain experience in the field.

Community colleges

While the community college route might seem similar to the trade school route, there are some key differences. Like a traditional university, community colleges require you to take some prerequisite courses, such as math and English. Trade schools, on the other hand, allow you to dive right into the coursework for your chosen career path.

Making the right choice: How do you know which option is right for you?

If you’re not settled on a specific career choice and/or are interested in developing broader knowledge across different subjects, community college or a four-year university may be the right option. Once you’re enrolled, you’ll be able to take a variety of courses to get a better feel for what you want to do as a career.

Many colleges today also offer online programs, which provide great flexibility for working students or parents. These programs allow students to complete their coursework at times that fit into their busy schedules. However, more and more trade schools are beginning to offer online learning options as well.

While traditional college is the right choice for some, it’s not for everyone — and it’s important to not overlook the potential benefits of a trade school. If you know which hands-on career you want to pursue after your education, trade school may be the way to go.

Read: From No Experience to Audi Service Technician: Joel Fudge

Trade Schools Near Me

There are trade schools all over the country for whatever subject you want to study. If you’re interested in automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, CNC machining, collision repair or welding schools, UTI has more than a dozen campuses across nine states. These states include:

• Arizona
• California
• Florida
• Illinois
• Michigan
• New Jersey
• North Carolina
• Texas
• Pennsylvania

If you also need housing assistance to relocate for your training, reach out to our Student Services team!

Read: UTI Diesel Grad Jan Lopez Testimonial

Trade School FAQs

1. What are the requirements for attending a trade school?

Generally, you’ll need to be at least 16 or 18 years old depending on the school and will need to have a high school diploma or GED. Some programs, like certain nursing schools, may have additional educational requirements to apply.

For UTI’s trade school requirements, students need to be at least 16 years old and possess a high school diploma, state-issued GED or state-authorized equivalent exam. Instead of a diploma or GED, a student may also be eligible with proof of having previously attended a Title IV-eligible program at a postsecondary institution under the Ability to Benefit provision prior to July 1, 2012, or with successful completion of an associate degree or college degree, or with successful completion of an officially recognized homeschooling program.

2. Are trade schools worth it?

If you know you want to pursue a career in the skilled trades, attending trade school can be beneficial. Trade schools provide true-to-life, hands-on training.¹⁸ Students at UTI learn in small class settings and can connect with industry employers at on-campus career fairs and through employment assistance services.

3. What do you do in trade school?

In a trade school, students focus on hands-on training and coursework specific to their chosen field, such as automotive, welding or CNC machining. This education combines classroom learning with practical skills training.

4. What are some continued education and advancement opportunities after trade school?

After completing trade school, graduates can pursue certifications or licenses relevant to their trade, which can enhance job prospects and potentially lead to higher wages.⁶ Additionally, many trade professionals choose to specialize further or take on supervisory roles, allowing for continued professional growth.

Read: Victor Claudio’s Dream Career as a Lead Tech With the Ocean Always in Sight

Learn if Trade School Is Right for You!

Trade school can be a smart choice for those who know they want to pursue a skilled trade and want to gain the knowledge and skills needed for entry-level positions.¹ Trade school offers a shorter education than traditional four-year college, is typically less expensive and provides hands-on training that students will need in the real professional world.

Still wondering, “What is a trade school?” If you’re interested in pursuing a skilled trades job in auto, diesel, welding, motorcycle, collision repair, marine or CNC machining, request info about UTI online or contact an Admissions Representative at 1-800-834-7308!