Fardad Fateri Opinion: It’s Time To Recognize the Importance of Short-Term Career Training Programs
November 28, 2023
The enrollment trends in postsecondary education for fall this year offer a promising indication that an increasing number of Americans are acknowledging vocational and trade schools as a viable and credible alternative to a conventional college education. A new report from the National Student Clearinghouse shows that students continue to gravitate towards short-term and credential programs, up nearly 10% compared to just 3.6% for associate degree programs and just 0.9% for bachelor’s degrees.
Why is the appetite for short-term programs growing, even as interest in four-year degrees declines? Short-term career training programs offered at trade and vocational schools have become well-established as an alternative for students who seek to gain employable skills without the time commitment and cost burden of a traditional college degree program.
The advantages of vocational and career training programs are numerous. They are more affordable, have higher graduation rates than traditional programs, provide hands-on learning, build relevant skills that employers seek, and take far less time to complete. Some programs, such as those required to earn a commercial truck driving license, can be finished in as few as seven weeks. Additionally, unlike traditional colleges and universities, the schools providing these programs also offer comprehensive career services.
