Vocational schools exist for a multitude of jobs, including chef, auto mechanic, paralegal, cosmetologist, construction worker and truck driver. Prospective applicants should research the types of vocational schools near them and select the ones that offer programs that directly relate to the job they hope to get after they complete the program. Most vocational schools are specialized in that they offer courses that relate to a small set of jobs, such as culinary schools, where students can learn to be a sous chef or a baker, or automotive schools, where students may study to be auto mechanics or truck drivers.
Vocational schools generally require applicants to have completed high school or a general equivalency diploma, or GED. Prospective applicants should contact the admissions office at the schools that interest them to inquire about each school's specific academic requirements. Some vocational schools require applicants to be 18 years old. Some schools prefer that applicants have some background or job experience in their chosen field, while others admit students who have no relevant job experience or no job experience at all. Applicants may be straight out of high school while others may have been in their chosen industry for several years and want more training to be able to obtain a promotion. Some schools, such as ITT Technical Institute, require students to pass entrance exams or obtain high scores on the ACT or SAT exams.
Vocational-school programs are significantly shorter than degree programs at four-year and two-year colleges. Most programs take less than two years to complete, and some schools offer a variety of program-length options. The culinary school Le Cordon Bleu offers 15- and 21-month programs. Some schools, such as ITT Technical Institute, also offer online programs that allow students to complete their courses at their own pace.
Costs vary by school, as well as by length and type of program. As of 2011, Le Cordon Bleu charged $41,000 for its 15- and 21-month programs. Branford Hall Career Institute charged about $11,000 for a medical assistant program. A 1500-hour cosmetology course at the Bradenton Beauty and Barber Academy was about $13,000 as of 2011, but a 310-hour course for an aesthetician and skin care specialist was about $3,000. Financial aid is available for vocational-school students, but applicants should consider whether the cost of attending a program will outweigh the potential benefits. Contact the school's financial aid office for information on available loans, grants and scholarships.
Vocational schools saw a rise in the number of applications after the recession began in the United States in late 2007, as laid-off workers went back to school to get more training in hopes of landing better jobs. The influx of trade-school graduates into the pool of job seekers as some employers continued to eliminate jobs reduced everyone's chances of being hired. Applicants should consider the possibility that, even with advanced training, they may remain unemployed after completing their programs, but considering the long-range career outlook for the job you want will help you make a decision. Check the Bureau of Labor Statistics website at BLS.gov for job projections.