I originally posted the following yesterday in response to a query about what exactly Trade Schools are. I've noticed that questions similar to it pop up occasionally, so rather than bury my response on page 6 of a thread (with a title that has no direct relationship to trade schools), I'm reposting my response here in hopes that it may prove useful to others.
Trades are professions where practical knowledge is just as important (perhaps more so) than theoretical knowledge. Sometimes Trades are also known as Crafts. Examples of trades include Carpenters, Plumbers, Bakers, Welders, Machinists, Steel workers, Mechanics and Electricians. Schools that prepare students to become Tradesmen are known as Trade Schools . Tradesmen (and Tradeswomen) are in high demand and command attractive salaries and benefits. Historically, an individual desiring to enter a trade would work for a number of years with a fully qualified Tradesman. Some occupations still work in this way. For example, an aspiring Electrician can join the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). For the first few years (usually 3 to 7, depending on the trade) that person works full time (37 to 40 hours per week) and also completes about 6 hours per week in classroom training. The training is conducted by the IBEW and there is usually no cost to the student, other than for books. At this stage the "student" is known as an Apprentice (while he/she completes the Apprenticeship) . While in the Apprenticeship, workers make competitive pay. Once fully trained and qualified, the Apprentice becomes a Journeyman. Finally, when a person has attained the pinnacle of skill and knowledge, he becomes a Master. The apprenticeship programs for other trades work in a similar manner.
Today, Trade Schools have become an alternative method of achieving the basic training and knowledge needed to become a Tradesman. Students enrolled in a training program at a trade school are apprentices. The training programs are not usually long enough for students to completely finish the Apprenticeship stage while in school, so they finish it (and become Journeymen) after they've worked in their profession with an employer for a few more years. Trade Schools are not designed to produce fully qualified Tradesmen, but rather to give them the basic skills and knowledge they need to be quite valuable in the labour market in their chosen trade. Upon graduating they are experienced enough to work in the field they've chosen, supervised by Journeymen and Masters, while they continue gaining additional knowledge and skills through hands-on real-life work experience.
Trades are professions where practical knowledge is just as important (perhaps more so) than theoretical knowledge. Sometimes Trades are also known as Crafts. Examples of trades include Carpenters, Plumbers, Bakers, Welders, Machinists, Steel workers, Mechanics and Electricians. Schools that prepare students to become Tradesmen are known as Trade Schools . Tradesmen (and Tradeswomen) are in high demand and command attractive salaries and benefits. Historically, an individual desiring to enter a trade would work for a number of years with a fully qualified Tradesman. Some occupations still work in this way. For example, an aspiring Electrician can join the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). For the first few years (usually 3 to 7, depending on the trade) that person works full time (37 to 40 hours per week) and also completes about 6 hours per week in classroom training. The training is conducted by the IBEW and there is usually no cost to the student, other than for books. At this stage the "student" is known as an Apprentice (while he/she completes the Apprenticeship) . While in the Apprenticeship, workers make competitive pay. Once fully trained and qualified, the Apprentice becomes a Journeyman. Finally, when a person has attained the pinnacle of skill and knowledge, he becomes a Master. The apprenticeship programs for other trades work in a similar manner.
Today, Trade Schools have become an alternative method of achieving the basic training and knowledge needed to become a Tradesman. Students enrolled in a training program at a trade school are apprentices. The training programs are not usually long enough for students to completely finish the Apprenticeship stage while in school, so they finish it (and become Journeymen) after they've worked in their profession with an employer for a few more years. Trade Schools are not designed to produce fully qualified Tradesmen, but rather to give them the basic skills and knowledge they need to be quite valuable in the labour market in their chosen trade. Upon graduating they are experienced enough to work in the field they've chosen, supervised by Journeymen and Masters, while they continue gaining additional knowledge and skills through hands-on real-life work experience.