How Vocational Schools Can Help You Build Marketable Skills in High-Demand Industries

When the economy is down, choosing a career can be challenging. For maximum job security, it’s important to choose a career in a high-demand, recession-proof industry. While these careers exist in a variety of places, looking to a vocational school to build marketable skills can get you on the path toward a stable career quickly, and with a relatively low investment.

What Makes a Vocational School Different than Other Higher Education Options?

Vocational skills are also referred to as trade schools or technical colleges. The programs offered can be as little as a few months to as long as two years. Vocational schools teach hands-on skills for specific careers. Vocational schools offer a focused education that will directly prepare students for the career they’ve chosen. Many programs use apprenticeships, as well as hands-on learning. In contrast, four-year colleges focus on a broad education without direct career preparation. 

The Value of Choosing Vocational School

Many students are taught that a four-year degree is the expectation for any good job. However, there are significant benefits to choosing a vocational school over a traditional four-year college program, especially for select careers.

• Hands-On Education will Directly Prepare You for a Career

Many college graduates feel unprepared for their chosen careers and can struggle to find employment, at least initially. The hands-on education provided by vocational training will set you on a direct path to employment in your chosen field. In nearly all vocational programs, you are likely guaranteed to have a job in your chosen field when you complete the program. While over 75% of vocational skills graduates are working in their field of study, just over 60% of students attending a four-year university will even graduate after six years.

• A Head Start in Building Wealth at a Lower Price Point

It’s no secret that a traditional four-year education is expensive and costs are continuing to increase. An average full vocational school education will cost less than the average cost of only one year of a four-year university program. This means that students in vocational programs not only incur less debt, but with a shorter program, can begin earning far sooner than those in four-year university degree programs. Vocational programs have a strong return on investment.

• Vocational Schools Get You Working Quickly

Vocational schools are a more streamlined path to a career. If you know you want to work in a specific career, a trade school will provide you with a strong tie to the industry and excellent job placement. It’s been said that you would have to try hard not to have a job offer immediately following your training program.

Start a Career in the Medical Field with Vocational School

Vocational schools are not just for mechanical and technical fields, such as electrician, auto mechanics, or plumbers. Becoming a medical assistant can get you started with an in-demand and stable career in as little as a few months. Medical assistants can work in a variety of healthcare environments, have a flexible schedule, and will have numerous opportunities for advancement throughout their career. In a medical assisting training program, you will have hands-on experience in everything you’ll need to learn to be successful.

For some careers, a four-year education – and beyond – is still required. But for others, a vocational school education will give you the right skills to begin earning in less time for a fraction of the cost. If you are looking for a recession proof career in the medical field, consider beginning with a medical assistant program from Athena Career Academy.