The Best 237 Vocational Training Programs (Trade Courses List) & Key Benefits

In this article, we’ll be focusing on the Vocational Training Programs/Courses list

A lot of people has been asking me for a list of vocational training courses to better advise them on their career interest.

Therefore, we constructed a list of vocational training programs from different states of America and across the world.

This list consists of various trade courses in different sectors of vocational education

This article covers:

• Trade Programs List
• Vocational Training Programs List
• Vocational Training Programs in USA/NYC
• Benefits of Vocational Courses 
• Common Vocational Courses

Many vocational training programs are in high demand in the current job market.

The good news is that there are quite a number of these programs and on top of that, they are being offered as certificates, or diploma.

If you are looking to start a new career, further studies, or enhancing your current job, below is a list of the vocational programs to select from.

Should a student choose a vocational course that falls within a formal education path, they may earn an associate degree or a certificate for their efforts.

The final qualification and credentials one attains depend on the type of course and the credits earned as a result of the training.

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What Are Vocational Courses?

Vocational training courses are specific classes offered to learners to train for a particular job or career.

These courses are offered to people working in various career fields to improve their skills.

Vocational training is available in trade schools, career colleges as well as community courses.

The institutions offering the courses may be government-owned or privately run.

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Vocational Training Programs – Courses  list

See also – Understanding Vocational Training – What Is Vocational Training

Common vocational courses

Although there are numerous vocational courses in the market, some of them are more popular than others.

The demand for these courses is determined by the market.

Some of the leading vocational courses include:

List of 237 Vocational Courses
Aboriginal Policing Preparation
Addictions Counselling
Advanced Care Paramedic
Agricultural Machinery Technician
Aircraft Gas Turbine Technician
Airline and Flight Operations - Commercial Pilot
Airport Operations
Appliance Repair Technician
Architectural and Structural CADD and Graphics Technician
Art/Design
Auto Mechanic
Auto Repair Training
AutoCAD
Automation control
Automotive Service Technician
Automotive Technical Studies
Automotive Technician
Aviation
Bachelor of Psychiatric Nursing
BioScience Technology
Blacksmithing
Boilermaker
Bookkeeping, Accounting and Auditing
Brick and Block Mason
Bridge Watchman
Building Systems Technician
Business and marketing management
Business and Office management
Business Information Systems
Business Planning
CAD/CAM Engineering Technology
Cardiovascular Technologist (EKG)
Carpentry
Catering and hotel management
Chemical Plant Operator
Chemical Technology
Chief Mate
Civil Engineering Technologies
Civil Technician
CNC Machinist Technician
Collision Repair
Combined Laboratory and X-Ray Technology
Commercial Pilot
Commercial Transport
Computer networking management
Computer Specialist
Computer Systems Technology
Construction Estimating
Construction Management
Construction Operations
Construction Supervision
Continuing Care Assistant
Correctional Studies
Court Services Administrator
Court Reporter
Critical Care Nursing
Culinary Arts
Culling arts
Cytotechnology
Data Entry Clerk
Daycare Provider
Dental Assisting
Dental Hygienist
Derrickman
Diabetes Education for Health Care Professionals
Dialysis Technician
Diesel Mechanics
Digital Graphic Design
Disability Support Worker
Dog Grooming
Dog Training
Dynamic Web Development
Early Child Care Education
Educational Assistant
Electrical and Electronics Repairman
Electrical Engineering Technology
Electrician
Electronics Technician
Engineering Design and Drafting Technology
Engineering-Mechanical, Civil, Electric and Electronic, Chemical among others.
Entrepreneurship and Small Business
Environmental Engineering Technology
Esthetician
Executive Housekeeper
Fashion Designer
Fire Protection Inspection and Testing
Firefighter
Floor Installer
Floral Designer
Food and Beverage Management
Food Service Cook
Freight Broker
Funeral Service
Furniture Designer
Gasfitting
Geographic Information Science for Resource Management
Geomatics and Surveying Engineering Technology
Graphic Communications
Gunsmith
Hairstylist
Hairstyling, Cosmetics and Beautification
Health Care and Social Assistant
Health Information Management
Heat and Frost Insulator
Heavy Duty Mechanic
Heavy Equipment Operator
Home inspector
Hotel and Restaurant Management
Human Resources Management (Certificate)
HVAC Technician
Hydronic Technician
Indigenous Peacekeeping
Industrial Electrician
Industrial Maintenance
Industrial Mechanics (Applied Certificate)
Industrial Mechanics (Certificate)
Institutional Cooking
Institutional Meat Cutting
Instrumentation Engineering Technology
Integrated Resource Management
Interactive Media Production
Interior Designer
Ironworker
Ironworker - Reinforcing
Lactation Consultant
Library and Information Technology
Locksmith
Locomotive Engineer
Machinist
Marine Engineering
Massage Therapy
Master 150GT Domestic
Master 500GT Domestic
Meat Processing
Mechanical Engineering Technology
Media Arts Production (Certificate)
Media Arts Production (Diploma)
Medical Billing & Coding
Medical Device Reprocessing Technician
Medical Laboratory Assistant
Medical Laboratory Technician
Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Radiologic Technology
Medical Transcriptionist
Mental Health and Addictions Worker
Metal Fabricator
Millwright
Mining Engineering Technology
Motorcycle Mechanic
Multi-Mechanical Trades
Nautical Sciences
New Media Communications (Certificate)
New Media Communications (Diploma)
Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Nuclear Technician
Nursing Re-entry
Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner (Applied Certificate)
Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner (Certificate)
Office Administration
Organizational/Leadership Skills
Paralegal
Paramedic-EMT
Park Ranger
Parts Management Technician
Parts Person
Perioperative Nursing/LPN
Perioperative Nursing/RN
Patient Care Technician
Patient Access Representative
Personal Trainer
Pharmacy Technician
Photography
Piping foundation
Plumber
Police Officer
Power and Process Engineering
Power Engineering Technician
Power Engineering Technology
Power Sports Equipment Technician
Practical Nursing
Precision Manufacturing and Machining
Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Primary Care Paramedic
Preschool Teacher
Private Investigator
Production Line Welding
Professional Cooking
Property Management
Psychiatric Nursing (Diploma)
Psychology and Counselling
Pump Maintenance
Radiation and Environmental Monitoring Technician
Radiation Therapist
Railway Conductor
Real Estate Appraisal
Recognition of Prior Learning Practitioner
Recreation and Community Development
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Refrigeration Mechanic Foundation
Refrigeration Systems
Resource and Environmental Law
Retail Customer Service
Retail Manager
Retail Meat Specialist
Roadworks Maintenance
Security Officer
Security Systems Technician
Service Excellence
Sheet Metal Worker
Small Business Management
Small Engine Repair
Solar Panel Installer
Stucco Applicator
Surgical Technologist
Tax Preparation
Telecommunications Technician
Therapeutic Recreation
Travel Agent
Tri-Trades Heavy Equipment, Truck and Transport, Agricultural Machinery Technician
Truck driving
Underground Mining Core
Underground Mining Raise Boring
Underground Mining Shaft Operations
Utility Lineworker Technology
Veterinary Assisting
Veterinary Technician
Veterinary Practice Manager
Victim Services Coordination
Warehouse Worker
Water and Wastewater Technician
Water Resources Engineering Technology
Web Developer
Welding and Fabrication
Welding Applied Certificate
Wireless Communications Technician
Youth Care Worker (Certificate)
Youth Care Worker (Diploma)

Healthcare and Social Assistance

This field offers numerous opportunities for learners to attain vocational training.

The market demand is such that there is always a need for nursing assistants to work in hospitals, care homes, offer daycare services, and residential services.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that this sector alone creates at least 5.6 million jobs annually.

This sector offers decent pay to its workers which is normally above the U.S. average.

Examples of average salaries for several vocational jobs in the Healthcare sector:

• Dialysis Technician – $62,870
• Medical Technologist – $62,870
• Respiratory Therapist – $80,340
• Ultrasound Technician – $89,020
• Healthcare Administration – $134,440

Construction Industry

Regardless of the economic conditions, the demand for housing will always be there.

For this reason, the construction industry is always hiring.

The available jobs include positions for plumbers, elevator installers, electricians, masons as well as building inspectors among many others.

Interested?

Here’s some information about the annual average salary for these types of jobs:

• Plumber – $67,840
• HVAC Technician – $59,620
• Electrician – $51,940
• Mason – $57,410
• Home Inspector – $72,880

The Manufacturing Sector

As one of the industries that fuel the rapid growth of the economy, manufacturing is a very important sector.

The field is always looking for new employees who have to receive special vocational training to perform their duties.

This industry requires employees with advanced manufacturing skills and thus the employees that get trained are likely to earn some good salaries.

Food Service

The food industry is huge and one that requires a lot of workers.

The need for fresh labor is the reason the industry is always hiring.

Food service employees such as chefs and food processing workers are in high demand.

Considering that people have to eat all the time, the industry has a bright future.

Accounting and Bookkeeping

Every small business requires someone with accounting knowledge.

A good number of workers in the accounting industry start off as account clerks with basic knowledge and then advance their skills to become accomplished accounts professionals.

Cosmetology and Hair Stylists

It is no secret that ladies have to look beautiful.

The demand for good hairstylists will always be high no matter the season.

The advantage of this career is that one can start with no skills at all and advance through vocational training to become a most sought-after hairstylist.

The industry also offers attractive pay for the right workers.

Computer and IT Support

To get started in this industry, one does not have to be a computer expert.

There are numerous computer support jobs available that one can get with moderate on-the-job training.

Tips to become a great IT support every company will want to keep:

• Be a team player – People need to see that you can work with others well and if ever your boss asks your colleagues about you then you’ll want them to give you a good review.
• Have a special skill – Something you know better than anyone and is vital to the company.
• Become Unfireable – Take more responsibility, If you take care of a lot of things within the company, you are too much value to the company and to fire you will cause too many problems because only you know of these things you are responsible for, that’s how you become unfireable (indispensable to the company so there isn’t a chance you will get fired).

Trucking and Transport Industry

Transport is a key driver of the economy and also an industry that employs a large number of people.

One can join the trucking industry and make a decent living.

A trucking job only requires a high school diploma and some driving experience.

Once recruited, a person undergoes a short vocational training and can start earning within a few weeks.

Auto Servicing

The number of cars on the roads continues to increase with every passing day.

The cars require servicing, and thus anyone interested in vehicles should take vocational training on car repair and service.

The sector has many new opportunities with car owners choosing to add some personalized features to their cars to make a statement.

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Why Choose Vocational Training Courses?

Faster Qualification

Having decided on a career, a vocational course offers quick entry into the field.

The training sometimes takes as little as 6 weeks and within the period you may have acquired the skills you need to get started.

If you need to get an associate degree, it is possible to get it within 2 years.

The feat that is not possible if you were to study for an academic degree.

The process is simple:

Flexibility

Considering that vocational courses are designed for working people in mind, the programs are very flexible in terms of the study program.

The courses give you the option of starting out when it is convenient.

One can also choose to study online or part-time depending on their schedule.

Join the Career of Your Choice

One of the biggest advantages of vocational courses is that you get to join your dream career.

Some students in academic courses may enroll in programs that they are not certain about.

With vocational courses, you choose to join the career you have always wanted.

Practical Training

If you love the hands-on experience, vocational training courses are designed for you.

The programs include a lot of practical approaches to learning as opposed to academic programs that favor theory at the expense of practice.

During the lessons, you encounter real-life situations that you will deal with on the job.

The approach ensures that you are ready for the job as soon as it is available.

Most of the instructors in the colleges have hands-on experience and will teach you the skills they have gained through practice.

Vocational Skills Are in High Demand

A huge advantage of enrolling in vocational training courses is that most of the skills are in demand.

Whether you train for the healthcare or trucking industry, you are assured of landing a good job as soon as you are through with the training.

With specialized training, you will excel in the job because of the practical training you have received.

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Final Thoughts

If you have identified your career of choice, taking vocational training courses will ensure that you get started right away and you can start earning some good income in a matter of weeks.

Vocational training programs normally lead to industrial skills certificates and diplomas or associate degrees.

These programs are important and can either be a basis for a career, or an enhancement in any career discipline.

Apart from being important, the programs are easy to integrate since they have been designed to help students learn fast, and most of the programs are more practical than theory.

Furthermore, they take a considerable amount of time making them easy for students to learn.

There are many vocational courses offered with vast career applications, to find out more, use our quick school finder.

Frequently Asked Questions

What careers are vocational?

A vocation is a job involving a specific skill with hands-on experience.

A vocational career could be something like an electrical repairman, plumber, computer repairman, dental hygienist, or airplane pilot in some cases.

Automotive technicians are also considered vocational-type jobs, as well as some jobs in the medical field.

What's the easiest trade to learn?

A trade that would be easy to learn would be one that matches your interests and natural skills as a starting point.

Beyond that, a commercial trucking license is one of the easiest because of the relatively short time it takes to complete the training.

What is Type A or B construction?

Type A and Type B construction refer to the level of fire resistance a building has.

Type A buildings have a higher fire-resistant rating.

This is sometimes called protected or unprotected type construction.

It refers only to the building materials and not to whether there is a sprinkler system.

What is the difference between a stylist and a master stylist?

The difference between a stylist and a master stylist is the level of education and experience.

There are levels, starting with level one for a beginner, and a master stylist is at the top of the line.

They are all hairdressers, but the level of expertise sets apart a master stylist from the rest.

What are the levels in hair stylist?

The levels of hairstylists may have different names in different operations, but they refer to the level of training and experience.

An entry-level stylist may be called just a stylist, or a junior stylist.

At the other end of the scale, they may be called a master stylist.

What is the difference between transportation and trucking?

Trucking and transportation are closely related and there is overlap in meaning.

Trucking is moving materials with a truck.

Transportation is the act of moving people or materials, including the infrastructure to do so.

Trucking is just one means of transportation.

What is logistics in trucking?

Logistics in trucking is about how the trucking is done.

Logistics involves all the factors involved in transporting goods, such as the size of the truck needed, drivers needed, and even routes taken by the trucks.

The point of logistics is to maximize productivity and efficiency to raise the profit margin.