How to Select a Trade School

Posted by David R. Wetzel Aug 24, 2008

There are so many trade schools to choose from today, it is important to research which school you are thinking about attending. The biggest factor to consider is the quality of education you get for your money.

Public trade schools are relatively inexpensive and private vocational trade schools are typically more expensive. However, private schools typically have better resources and equipment.

Regardless if you select public or private, here are a few factors you need to consider strongly before attending any school:

Student Graduation Rate – how many students who enroll in a school’s program actually graduate. A low rate is warning flag and may hint towards dissatisfaction with the quality of instruction.

Program Certification – check out who has certified the schools programs. If you are thinking about information technology and computer science, they should be certified by:

• Apple Certified System Administrator
• Cisco Certified Network Professional
• HP Certified IT Professional
• IBM Certified Enterprise Developer
• Certified Information Systems Auditor
• Microsoft Certified Database Administrator
• Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator
• Nortel Networks Certified Network Architect
• Oracle Certified Professional Java Developer
• Sun Certified Java Programmer
• Symantec Certified Security Engineer

Facilities – never agree to attend a school without viewing the teaching facilities at the school. Then compare with other schools you are considering. Outdated equipment and run down facilities is a huge warning flag.

Services – what additional services does the school provide? For example:

• Placement Services
• Resume Services
• Career Guidance Office
• Internships/Externships
• Financial Aid Office
• An Advisor for Students
• Alumni Services
• Housing Services

Visit Career Education for Learning Technical Skills and 10 Tips for Adults Going Back to School to learn more about the trade schools and going back to school.