There has been growing interest in the skilled trades—so-called “blue collar” careers—and there are a lot of different reasons for that. One of the most appealing parts is how a lot of these careers can be trained for in a short amount of time, meaning you won’t have to waste years in college before you can start earning a steady income. In fact, some jobs only require a certificate, and many of them are stable and in-demand. 

Trade School vs. Technical School vs. Vocational School 

You’ve likely seen the term “trade school,” but also: technical school, vocational school, career school, etc. Is there any difference between these labels? Yes and no. 

  • Technical schools or career schools are usually used when talking about institutions that offer two-year degrees and/or diplomas, in addition to certifications. These schools often offer programs in an array of technical fields, from help desk technician to medical assistant.
  • Trade schools often refers to institutions that focus on the skilled trades, like construction, plumbing, HVAC, and so on. A lot of the programs at trade schools are extremely hands-on, even moreso than some technical school programs.
  • Vocational schools can serve as an umbrella term that encompasses both technical and trade schools, but it’s important to note that some people or organizations may use all three of these interchangeably. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies all of them under “career and technical education,” or CTE. 

Certificate vs. Diploma or Degree Programs 

Most people automatically think after high school comes college, but there are other postsecondary education options that can get you career ready. Degree programs are generally offered by community colleges and traditional universities and can take 2-4 years or longer to complete, depending on your major. Diploma programs tend to be shorter but can still take up to a year or more. 

A certificate program at a trade or technical school is the most time-efficient path, taking sometimes as little as 4-6 weeks to complete. That’s because these programs are very focused on teaching you the specific hands-on skills you need with the goal of getting you into a growing career as efficiently as possible. 

Jobs You Can Get With a Trade School Certificate 

Construction 

Right now, the U.S. is facing a major shortage of skilled construction workers, with employers scrambling to fill open positions and keep projects going. The latest statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates around 587,000 job openings each year on average in the construction field.  

Some in-demand roles in this area that you can get with a certificate: 

Service Technicians 

Some of the careers in this section overlap with construction, but they also have a major service component that covers installation, maintenance, and repair for residential homes and commercial clients. Overall, employment for service technicians is projected to grow faster than the average with around 569,000 estimated job openings on average each year.  

Some in-demand roles in this area that you can get with a certificate: 

  • Electrician, which is expected to grow by 9%, much faster than average, through 2035
  • Plumber, which is expected to grow by 7%, much faster than average, with around 42,000 job openings on average each year
  • HVAC Technician, which is expected to grow by 11%, substantially faster than the average, through 2035 

Manufacturing, Production and Transportation 

There are a lot of different job opportunities in this area, and nearly all of them are indispensable in keeping our economy running. These are the workers that help create and produce the goods and ensure that they’re safely shipped to stores and consumers. 

Some in-demand roles in this area that you can get with a certificate: 

  • Light Truck and Delivery Driver, which is expected to grow much faster than average and have over 150,000 job openings on average each year. This includes delivery drivers who bring everything from groceries to takeout, as well as last-mile drivers who are charged with getting packages from a distribution center to the consumer’s door.
  • Automotive Mechanic, which is expected to grow by 5%, faster than the average, through 2035. Mechanics and technicians work to inspect, maintain, and repair consumer cars and commercial light trucks and other vehicles.
  • Semiconductor Processing Technician, which is expected to grow much faster than the average at around 8%. Also known as microchips, semiconductors are used in smartphones, cars, computers, and more, and the technicians help produce them and help ensure quality control.  

ASC Technical Institute for Your Future 

The current state of the construction and skilled labor shortage could be a door for new, valuable career opportunities, and ASC Technical Institute can help you get started. We offer three different Heavy Equipment Operator programs to choose from, all of which prioritize hands-on training, and our accelerated program can get you ready to work in under 4 weeks. 

If this kind of work sounds like your thing—practical, active, and rewarding—it’s a great time to get started. Contact ASCTI at 915-505-6488 to learn more about our Heavy Equipment Operator program and get started on a career in construction.