Tech school training, whether at the high school or two-year college level, has many benefits for the students who receive it. Foremost among those benefits is low-cost, hands-on, practical skills training that can lead directly to workplace opportunities. Tech school training offers technical training, practical education and job placement, making it a practical choice for students who do not wish to pursue a four-year college degree or who are looking to change careers.
Studies have shown that people who receive tech school training or vocational school training earn higher wages than those who have only a high school degree. Those with training also have more job skills that are transferable, increased job stability and, according to the U.S. Department of Education, a 97 percent employment rate after graduation. Of those graduates, more than 80 percent are hired in the field for which they trained.
Choosing tech school training has several practical benefits. Tech schools are less expensive than traditional four-year colleges and often less expensive than community colleges and other two-year schools. They tend to offer grants and scholarships that can help defray the cost of tuition. Many technical schools also offer job placement, internships and paid apprenticeships, so students can earn money while earning their certificate.
Admission requirements for tech schools also tend to be lower than those of colleges, making them appeal to people who have low grades or who don't score well on the standard admissions tests that are the passports to higher education. There are a greater number of tech schools than four-year schools, which means a student likely will not have to move to attend school. Tech school training can also pave the way to earning a degree. While most programs offer certificates of completion and skills certification, others offer two-year associate's degrees. Many also have matriculation agreements with four-year universities for students who want to go on to earn a bachelor's degree.
Another benefit of tech school training is the intense focus. Students take only those courses they need to achieve the certificate of completion. Most learning is very hands-on, and students immediately have the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills they learn. Everything is focused on career development and job placement. Tech school training also requires less time to earn certification than colleges and universities require to earn a degree, and the shorter certification period can be a benefit to those looking to change careers or who need to gain new skills quickly.
