Are you looking for an educational program that will prepare you to enter the workforce? Or perhaps you’re looking for a new career path that can lead to consistent employment and opportunities for advancement. Since you’re likely exploring several options, you may be weighing the benefits of attending a traditional college or university versus a trade school or technical college.
The Benefits of Technical College
You may already be aware that attending trade schools or technical schools is less expensive than attending 4-year universities. The average cost to obtain a trade school degree is $33,000 as opposed to $127,000 for a bachelor’s degree.
Furthermore, since trade school programs focus on the knowledge and skills required for a specific occupation, you won’t have to complete non-related coursework. As a result, it will take less time to complete these programs.
Employment Opportunities in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) field is expected to experience growth. By 2022, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that this field will have 21% more jobs available.
HVAC technicians earned an average of $48,000 per year in 2016. California, Florida, and Texas were the states with the most job opportunities, according to 2016 statistics.
Employment Opportunities for Bakers, Cooks, and Chefs
Job opportunities for bakers are expected to increase. Between the years of 2014 and 2024, the BLS projects that employment within this field will grow by 7%. According to 2016 figures, the median pay for individuals working in this field was $25,090 per year and $12.06 per hour.
Between the years of 2014 to 2024, the BLS reports that there will be an increased demand of 9% for culinary experts. In 2015, for example, 129,370 head cooks or chefs were employed throughout the United States. The median pay for head cooks and chefs in 2016 was $43,180 per year and $20.76 per hour.
Employment Opportunities for Pharmacy Technicians
Employment projections for pharmacy technicians are higher than average. The BLS indicates that between 2014 and 2024, employment opportunities will increase by 9%.
During 2015, for example, 397,430 pharmacy technicians were employed throughout the United States. In May 2016, the median wage for this type of position was $30,920 per year.
Employment Opportunities within the Medical Field
There will be an increased demand for medical billing and coding specialists. Between 2014 to 2024, the BLS projects that employment opportunities will increase by 15%. According to 2016 figures, the median pay for medical records and health information technicians, which is a related position, was $38,040 per year and $18.29 per hour.
Employment opportunities for medical assistants are expected to grow faster than average. The BLS reports that between 2014 and 2024, there should be an increased demand of 23%. Approximately 60% of the individuals working within this field are employed in doctor’s offices. The median pay for 2016 was $31,540 per year and $15.17 per hour.
If you are interested in these or other occupations, attending a technical training institute or technical college may be the best course of action for you. Once you contact an air conditioner school, culinary school, pharmacy school, or any of the other specific schools, you will be able to learn more about the programs that they offer.
More.