Choosing a career in manufacturing can be an opportunity to take your life in a new direction with productive and meaningful work. However, completely pivoting your career without a manufacturing background or hands-on manufacturing skills can be difficult. One way to make that transition easier is by attending trade school. This article will explain how trade schools benefit you and your career goals in manufacturing.
You Gain Knowledge and Experience
Attending a trade school is a great way to get hands-on experience in the field you're interested in. Most trade schools will require you to complete some kind of training, such as an externship or clinical internship before you can earn your diploma. This is a great opportunity to get your hands dirty and directly apply concepts learned in the classroom. Not only are you getting real-world experience, but you’re also given the opportunity to make connections that can be helpful when you’re looking for a job after completing the program.
Trade school courses also tend to be taught in a more immersive way, meaning that students don’t just sit and listen to a teacher talk about ideas and concepts. Students get to practice their skills in the classroom while receiving real-time feedback from teachers. For example, someone studying to be a mechanic will get to tune up their skills and learn in a low-pressure environment.
You Get to Try Before Committing to a Career
If you’re considering a mid-career switch and you’re not 100% sure the new career you’ve been thinking about is right for you, attending a trade school certification program is a great way to get your feet wet. Many trade schools offer courses during the day and even the night, so you can continue working at your current job while getting a taste of what a career in manufacturing might look like. If you decide a job in a skilled trade isn’t what you imagined and just not right for you, the economic toll isn’t as high since trade schools tend to be much more affordable than the average university.
Also, unlike post-graduate university programs, which can take years to finish, many trade school programs can be completed within a year or two. What does this mean for you? It means you can start a more rewarding career sooner. You’ll also be able to start earning money sooner.
Certification Can Boost Your Resume
Attending a trade school benefits your resume as well. Demonstrating your interest in a manufacturing career is one thing, but taking the initiative to complete a program with hands-on training shows that you have the skills and knowledge to back up your interest in the field. Some employers may not even look at your resume if you haven’t completed a certain level of certification.
Furthermore, you will also graduate with the skill-set employers are looking for in candidates, which will make you even more qualified for the job you’re applying for. Ultimately, trade schools help you prepare for your chosen career and then demonstrate that you are a capable, skilled professional who can succeed and even thrive.
Looking for additional career guidance? FactoryFix has several resources that can help:
- If you know you’re interested in a manufacturing career, but just aren’t sure which path makes sense for your interests, we’ve laid them out in our Career Path section.
- If you’d like to get a career blueprint specific to you, speak to our career coach who can identify job opportunities from top manufacturers that are tailored for your skills and goals.
- Don’t forget to browse our Job Board to explore 250,000+ manufacturing job opportunities.
Whatever you do or would like to do, we’ve got you covered. Start working towards your dream job today!