Learning a Profession Outside of College - Texas Foster Youth Justice Project

College is not your only option for learning new skills after you finish high school or get your GED. Other types of schools can also get you ready for a career.

It is important to remember, depending on the program, that you may still be eligible for the ETV program if you attend a vocational school, trade school, or technical institute, so please do not forget to apply for ETV. You should also look for public community colleges and vocational/technical schools that offer similar programs. Rather than go to a private school, you can use your State College Tuition and Fee Waiver at public schools and avoid expensive student loans. Plus, if you have a physical or mental disability, you could also qualify for vocational training and assistance from the Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Services. See Training and Placement Assistance if You Have a Disability.

Many high schools now offer classes that let students earn the same certifications that they could get through a vocational or trade school. By taking those classes in high school, you could get a certification and obtain a skill that would make it easier to find a job and earn more money as soon as you graduate from high school.

You can also learn skills for a trade outside of the classroom and get paid while you learn if you become an apprentice. This means that you would receive on-the-job training by working with others in that field. Apprenticeships are available in many industries, including construction, transportation, health care, advanced manufacturing, hospitality, and information technology. To learn more, visit www.Apprenticeship.gov.

Vocational schools and trade schools offer certifications for many jobs that do not require a college degree, such as welding, computer repair, auto repair, truck driving, cosmetology (hairstylists, make-up artists, and beauticians) and other skilled fields. Technical institutes generally offer programs that take two years or less in skilled professions, such as medical assistant, electrician, dental hygienist, and computer programmer.