Since college is often touted as the only path to professional success, it's no surprise that just under 16 percent of the high school graduates surveyed have enrolled in a vocational or trade school. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is committed to providing data promptly and in accordance with established schedules. To ensure that all customers have access to the data they need, BLS has implemented measures to prevent automated programs from interfering with timely access to other customers' information. As such, any bot activity that does not comply with the BLS usage policy is prohibited. As students are being pushed towards college more than ever, many of them are starting to look for alternatives.
Many students struggle with the idea of having a predetermined outcome in their lives and have become more open to other options, such as vocational education or trade schools. These schools offer high-paying jobs that are often left empty when high school graduates line up for a four-year degree. Mike Rowe, host of the show Dirty Jobs, is an advocate for trade schools and has started a scholarship program to fund students in a vocational program. The “Work Ethics” Scholarship Program recognizes those who understand the meaning of hard work and emphasizes its importance. If high schools introduce their students to the possibility of creating trade schools, young people can have more informed ideas about what to do after obtaining their diplomas.
Megan Zogby, a Martin Center Fellow, believes that this way, students can be equipped to enter the workforce more quickly and get the best jobs for trade school graduates. Trade school is ideal for students who have a clear career path in mind, as the programs don't really offer any opportunity to explore topics related to the field of their choice. However, it's important to keep in mind that college graduates don't always have higher incomes than trade school graduates. Alternatively, students can also begin their post-secondary education at a trade school and then continue their studies at a four-year university later on. A precise definition of trade school is that it is an educational institution that offers secondary and post-secondary programs. Fortunately, when it comes to career opportunities, both trade school graduates and college graduates have plenty of options.
Currently, the Professional Technical Education Consortium of the National Association of State Directors (NASDCTec) has defined 16 different vocational groups and 79 careers in trade schools that students can study (Advance CTE, n.d.).If you want to be able to enter the workforce in just two years or less, taking a vocational course at a trade school may be a great option. Because trade schools are so simple and there aren't many extracurricular activities available, some students may end up unable to perfect social skills such as communication and leadership. On the other hand, trade school allows you to develop industry-specific skills that employers are sure to find impressive. And this is increasingly the case for many, as the number of students entering trade schools has increased by more than 100% in the last five years. There are many advantages and disadvantages to consider between trade schools and universities, and making a decision, especially in this time of COVID-19, can be overwhelming.
It's important for students to weigh all their options carefully before making a decision about which path is right for them.
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