Vocational education in the United States

In the United States, vocational education varies from state to state. Vocational schools, also popularly known as trade schools, are post-secondary schools – meaning that students usually enroll after graduating from high school or obtaining their GEDs – that teach the skills necessary to help students acquire jobs in specific industries. The majority of postsecondary technical and vocational training is provided by proprietary (privately owned) career schools. About 30 percent of all credentials in career training are provided by two-year community colleges, which also offer courses transferable to four-year universities; other programs are offered through military technical training or government-operated adult education centers. Several states operate their own institutes of technology which are on an equal accreditational footing with other state universities.

Historically, middle schools and high schools have offered vocational courses such as home economics, wood and metal shop, typing, business courses, drafting, and auto repair, though schools have put more emphasis on academics for all students because of standards based education reform. School-to-Work is a series of federal and state initiatives to link academics to work, sometimes including gaining work experience on a job site without pay.

The biggest difference between trade school and traditional college is the amount of time students need to complete their education. Most vocational schools in offer programs that students can complete in about one or two years. Students attending traditional colleges often take four to five years to complete their education. Traditional colleges also require students to complete a liberal arts education; they must enroll in a broad range of courses that are not necessarily related to their area of study. Vocational schools only require students to enroll in classes that pertain to their particular trades.

Another big difference is: the average cost for a bachelor's degree is $25,000 - $50,000 per year which adds up to $100,000-$200,000 for those four years of attendance. Trade school runs, on average, around $33,000 from start to finish.

Federal involvement is principally carried out through the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act. Accountability requirements tied to the receipt of federal funds under this Act help provide some overall leadership. The Office of Vocational and Adult Education within the US Department of Education also supervises activities funded by the Act, along with grants to individual states and other local programs. Persons wishing to teach vocational education may pursue a Bachelor of Vocational Education, which qualifies one to teach vocational education.

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