A Trade School is an educational institution or program that provides hands-on, job-specific training in skilled occupations such as construction, healthcare, technology, and mechanical trades. Trade schools may operate at the high school level (typically as part of Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs or career centers) or at the postsecondary level (as stand-alone institutions or programs within community and technical colleges). These schools typically award certificates, diplomas, or industry-recognized credentials, and emphasize direct pathways to employment in high-demand fields.

The terms, Skilled Trades and Trade Schools, are often confused.

• Skilled Trades refers to types of jobs: occupations that require specialized training and hands-on abilities — such as electricians, welders, plumbers, and medical technicians.
• Trade Schools refer to places of programs that help people train for those jobs: they are one type of training provider or pathway that prepares learners for skilled trades occupations.

The term “trade school” has evolved over time and can go by various names depending on the context. Commonly used alternatives that are sometimes used interchangeably, but may reflect different audiences, ages served, or credential levels offered include:

• Career and Technical Education (CTE): K–12 and postsecondary that refer more broadly to content and pathways, not just institutions.
• Vocational School: Older term, still used in policy. This term is commonly used internationally and in historical U.S, references.
• Technical School: Often used for STEM or a manufacturing focus, and can overlap with community and technical colleges.
• Postsecondary Career School: Used by the U.S. Department of Education, used in regulatory context.
• Private Career College: Postsecondary institutions, usually for-profit and certificate-granting.
• Career Center Regional Career Center: High school level, often offering trade programs to juniors and seniors across school districts.
• Skilled Trades Training Program: Workforce boards, unions, and employers – this is a generic term for programs rather than institution.s

See Topic: Skilled Trades | Learn & Work Ecosystem Library (learnworkecosystemlibrary.com) 

See Glossary: https://learnworkecosystemlibrary.com/glossary/skilled-trades/