What kind of technical schools are there

What is a technical high school? Related: 9 Popular Trade Jobs. Technical vs. Career-focused: Technical colleges prepare students for specific careers. This is very different from universities, where you'll get a more general education, with the flexibility to change paths if you decide to.

If you know what you want to do and it requires a fair amount of hands-on training, a technical school may be a good choice for you.

Less costly: Because technical programs are typically less time-intensive, the cost of tuition is usually significantly less than a community college or university. Some trade schools build the cost of books into tuition, making it even more cost-effective. General education for your career: At a technical college, even the general education courses are designed to educate and benefit you in your chosen industry. Practical practice: Universities tend to take a more theoretical approach, where trade schools focus more on the practical.

Technical colleges offer students opportunities to experience what their future workplace might be like. The primary way they do this is by offering internships to their students, which allows them to work in their field and gain some valuable on-the-job training. Admissions requirements: Getting into a university can be competitive, and a lot of focus is put on an individual's GPA and test scores. Gaining entrance into a technical college, however, can be less stressful.

Admissions requirements for most programs are more relaxed than a university or community college. Flexible and convenient: As with universities, a majority of the programs at a technical college will require students to attend weekday classes, but there are other options available.

Many programs offer weeknight and weekend courses as well, which is ideal for individuals who are working while attending school. Taking night or weekend classes may be more convenient, and it allows students to take their time to get through the program at their own pace. Job placement before graduation: Technical schools put a lot of emphasis on career development by offering seminars that focus on subjects like how to find and get a job, how to create an effective resume, useful job hunting tips and how to communicate with a potential employer.

The instructors at most technical colleges are industry professionals who can offer useful advice and have connections in the field.

Whether it be through internships or job fairs, students are put in contact with potential employers before graduation. High employment rate: The programs that trade schools offer typically point toward occupations and industries that are expected to be in high demand by the time students graduate. Additionally, students train for jobs that require someone to be physically present. This decreases the likelihood that these positions could be outsourced or automated in the future.

Specific studying: At colleges and universities, students are required to take courses outside of their area of study. For example, most degrees require students to study a foreign language or take statistics regardless of what they will ultimately do day-to-day in their field.

Unlike community colleges or universities, students attending a technical college only take courses that relate to their specific field of study. Smaller classes: Class sizes at trade schools tend to be smaller, allowing for more individualized and attentive training from instructors.

HVAC technician. Licensed practical nurse. An Avionics Technician usually earns an associate degree in the field. Generally, Aircraft Mechanics eventually decide to become Avionics Technicians.

While Aircraft Mechanics focus on mechanical issues, Avionics Technicians diagnose and repair aircraft instrument problems and their annual pay is just slightly higher. Air travel, military needs, and commerce are mainstays of modern society and economics which means there will always be a need for men and women skilled in aviation maintenance technology.

Aircraft maintenance must be done by a certified mechanic or under the close supervision of one with the proper credentials. To maintain all types of aircraft, qualified Aircraft Mechanics must do regular maintenance, as well as needed repairs as mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration FAA. Avionics technicians work with complex electronic systems and must have an intricate knowledge of how these work on a given aircraft. All aircraft repair employees must be able to work with computers, maintain adequate records and troubleshoot equipment.

Boilermakers work in one of the best-paying trades and usually attend a vocational or trade school. A high school diploma is needed, and often, boilermakers learn their trade through apprenticeships. An apprenticeship takes, on average, four to five years to complete and requires a certain number of on-the-job training hours.

A background in welding makes a boilermaker candidate more attractive to potential apprenticeship programs. Their main job is to fabricate steel from plates and tubes, a very important aspect of our steel industry.

Respiratory Therapists are in charge of assessing and treating patients with problems occurring in the heart and lungs. Professionals working in this particular area of medicine have high levels of responsibility and are required to have a broad knowledge of the cardiopulmonary systems. Trade programs are also offered through vocational schools; however, they must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care so you can obtain proper licensure.

Respiratory Therapists are a part of a healthcare team as a whole. They provide specific knowledge relating to acute and chronic issues in the heart and lungs. Respiratory Therapists have skills in treating problems such as asthma, pneumonia, lung cancer, and more. Home Inspectors have high-paying jobs that only require training from trade schools. Being a home inspector is a great career path for people with an eye for detail, a good knowledge of construction, and who would prefer not to be stuck in an office all day.

The field of home inspection is growing rapidly. So, as long as new homes are being constructed and older homes are being bought and sold, the need for qualified Home Inspectors will remain steady. A high school or GED diploma is needed to enroll in a technical or vocational home inspection program. Depending on which reference you are viewing, other sites, such as PayScale. A home inspection is performed on-site, and conditions in which inspections are performed can vary a great deal, depending upon the age and condition of the home.

A large percentage of inspectors are self-employed and most work full time. Radiologic Technologists have vocational jobs that often only require an associate degree, as do MRI Technologists. Typically, professionals in this field begin their career as a Radiologic Technologist and then decide later to concentrate on becoming an MRI Technologist. Radiologic Technologists perform diagnostic imagery, particularly x-ray and CT imaging, to help doctors determine a diagnosis and treatment plan.

Radiologic Technologists often specialize in mammography. That person, called a Court Reporter, is responsible for listening to the spoken version of a statement and relaying it into a stenograph machine so that it can be translated into the written word.

As an official record of the court, it must be accurate and concise. To be a Court Reporter, you will need the necessary training through a certificate program at your community college or an associate degree program.

Your training in court reporting, or stenography, can afford you many job opportunities, even outside of the courtroom. Primarily, Court Reports do attend legal proceedings, such as trials, depositions, and witness testimonies.

However, your services may also be needed as a translator for the deaf, in business meetings, or in broadcast television. Occupational Therapy Assistants usually work very closely with Occupational Therapists. This vocation usually consists of helping to implement therapy treatments and encouraging patients in their quest to regain the skills needed for everyday living. Vocational programs can be found at community colleges or technical schools and will take about two years to complete.

Please note: The training requirements and wages of an Occupational Therapy Aide are significantly different from those required of an Occupational Therapy Assistant.

Aides do not require formal training but do receive on-the-job training to perform their duties. Therapy Assistants help Occupational Therapists to provide treatments to their patients. Every state law is different; therefore, Occupational Therapy Assistants may have different roles to play such as developing treatment plans and recording the progress of treatments, among many other responsibilities.

Do you have aspirations of becoming an Occupational Therapist yourself? If so, good for you! Check out this additional information to help you along your journey:. Within any capacity, a 2-year associate degree in funeral service or mortuary science is preferred and must be accredited by the ABFSE. They are often the support system in a very difficult time for families and friends of the loved one. Responsibilities will vary according to your role in the process of preparing and presenting the deceased for viewing, burial, or cremation.

With a high school or GED diploma, you can become an Electrician; however, due to the danger of the field, it is best to acquire some technical training from an engineering trade school, without a doubt! Technical schools are designed to allow the student to concentrate on a trade without going through the rigorous coursework traditionally required of an associate degree program.

In contrast, Electrical Power Line Installers may be required to have an associate degree. Electricians are tasked with supplying electricity to homes, businesses, and large industries, as well as entertainment venues, amusement parks, and everything in between. They are an essential part of the workforce and provide a basic need. As we go out to eat or through a drive-through, we tend to forget that the establishment must be run like a well-oiled machine.

The Food Service Manager makes sure that we get our food quickly and efficiently. They work behind the scenes to conduct administrative duties, as well as lead teams of workers to ensure customer satisfaction. Typically, to secure a position as a Food and Beverage Service Manager, you should begin as a cook, a counter attendant, or perhaps as a waitress or waiter; you can work your way to the top after several years of experience.

Technical schools do offer culinary training and business courses are a plus! Food Service Managers are focused primarily on the day-to-day operations of restaurants, bars, and any other type of establishment that serves food and beverages to patrons.

Positions for Food Service Managers can be found in places besides restaurants and bars. Often, large event venues, factory cafeterias, school cafeterias, amusement parks, hotels, healthcare facilities, and casinos are looking for qualified personnel in this field.

Are you interested in becoming a Chef or Caterer? If so, check out these additional links and FAQs:. Providing another basic need such as electricity, Plumbers and Pipefitters are crucial to the world we live in. They provide an essential service as they run pipe for fixtures and other types of systems that require water, gas, or steam. Generally, you can receive training in this field through work-related apprenticeships; however, technical schools also offer training to be a Plumber, Pipefitter, or Steamfitter.

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters are tasked with providing the public with new piping, as well as repairing leaks as needed. Occasionally, plumbers are also asked to run sewer pipes and unstop sewer lines. Plumbers work for general contractors, plumbing companies, or can be self-employed. To become a Paralegal or Legal Assistant, typically the proper training is required.

On the flip side, some employers only require that their assistants have certification and on-the-job training. In addition, if you already have a college degree, you may also be certified in legal studies, from a program approved by the American Bar Association , to pursue a job as a Paralegal or Legal Assistant.

Paralegals and Legal Assistants take loads of work of the lawyer. They are tasked with preparing documents and distributing copies and other responsibilities so lawyers can concentrate on other things. They work primarily in law offices; however, some are hired to work in government agencies, as well as corporations. Are you interested in pursuing career advancement in the field of Law?

Check these links for additional information to help you plan your course of action! A position as a Geological and Petroleum Technician requires a high school education and at least an associate degree obtained by a community college vocational program.

If you have previously earned an associate degree in applied science or science-related technology field, you may also qualify for the position. On-the-job training is required as well. Geological and Petroleum Technicians learn to use field and laboratory equipment, as well as computer systems and mapping software among other things. People who work in this field use equipment to measure ground motions and gravity.

In the field, they collect samples of materials for analysis in labs. Technicians then analyze these samples in the lab to discover metals, gems or natural gas.

Are you looking to buy or sell your home? If you are, you should enlist the help of a Real Estate Agent. These are specially trained personnel who know how to market your home to sell or help you buy one yourself… and get the best deal!

To become a Real Estate Agent, you will need to complete a real estate program. Real Estate Brokers are licensed to own their own real estate company; however, Real Estate Agents must work for a Broker. They both buy and sell real estate. Also, properties may include residential, industrial, commercial, or land only. Some Real Estate Agents choose to specialize in a particular market.

They keep us warm in the winter and cool in the summer. How would one secure a position in this field? HVACR training is available at most community colleges or vo-tech schools and can be completed within six months to two years typically. Through climate control, everyone stays comfortable, our food stays fresh, and our inside air quality stays optimum for good health and safety.

Diesel Service Technicians or Mechanics focus on diesel-powered engines. They repair them, service them, or replace them when needed. Most diesel engines are found in larger vehicles, such as tractor-trailer rigs, buses, or construction equipment. To become a Diesel Technician, you will need specialized training to know how to do repairs properly. Post-secondary trade school programs are readily available for a career in this field.

Diesel Service Technicians work hard to keep vehicles on the roadways safe and dependable. There are more than just large trucks out there that need the attention of a good Diesel Mechanic, such as construction equipment, large passenger vehicles and commercial boats. Training in this field can provide many opportunities for specializations if desired. Certainly, the healthcare industry is always showing positive growth due to poor health habits and our aging population in the U.

In addition, for those with a giving heart who enjoy taking care of others, nursing is ideal and is a rewarding career. To begin your career, LPNs must have proper medical training to take care of their patients. Approved programs can be found at community colleges or hospitals and generally take about a year to complete. Through basic medical care, a Licensed Practical Nurse provides a valuable service to patients of all types, whether in a hospital setting or by way of helping a patient through a difficult illness.

They provide treatments and education, as well as emotional support to their patients during difficult times. The extent of your duties will rely strictly on the mandates from the state in which you are employed. While some LPNS can administer medications in some states, other states do not permit it.

As you can see below, if a career in Nursing is of interest to you, we have you covered:. A Cardiovascular Technician can choose from several academic paths to practice in this field. And, yes, there is a difference!

But, if you are so inclined, at the minimum, employers will require an associate degree or certification to pursue an entry-level position as a Technician in the field. In the 2-year program, you will begin with general education coursework and then transition into specialty training. Certificate programs are also available, and on-the-job training is a must. Nov 11, , am EST. Nov 10, , am EST. Nov 9, , am EST. Nov 8, , am EST.

Nov 6, , am EDT. Edit Story. Aug 16, , am EDT. Carter Coudriet Former Staff. By Asia Martin. View gallery.