The benefits of a trade school education surpass what is learned from books. Training programs focus on the practical, hands-on skills graduates need to find jobs. But there’s more to a job than just doing the technical tasks. Your soft skills can greatly impact your success in any field. Luckily, vocational schools teach both technical skills and important soft skills.
What Is a Trade School?
A trade school, also known as a vocational school or technical school, is an educational institution that provides specialized training in specific trades or occupations.
Unlike traditional four-year colleges or universities that offer a broad range of academic subjects, trade schools offer programs in fields such as business management, HVAC, information technology (IT), and healthcare careers, like medical office administration. These programs equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to be workforce-ready in less time, typically a few months.
What Are Hard Skills?
Hard skills are the specific technical skills and specialized knowledge required to do certain jobs. They’re particularly relevant in technical fields. Examples include:
- Computer programming
- Repairing air conditioners
- Accounting
- Welding
- Operating industrial machinery
- Using appointment scheduling software
- Setting up telehealth equipment
More tangible than soft skills, hard skills can be demonstrated through education and certifications. Graduating from a reputable trade school with a diploma is a proven way to show employers that you’re qualified for a job.
What Are Soft Skills?
Soft skills are the personal attributes and personality traits that enable individuals to work effectively with others and navigate professional situations. While hard skills are specific to particular roles, soft skills are a must in all industries. A few examples are:
- Critical thinking
- Communication skills
- Flexibility
- Emotional intelligence
- Creativity
- Reliability
- Time management skills
- Leadership ability
Soft skills are crucial for success in the workplace and are highly sought after by employers. They enable individuals to communicate clearly, adapt to changing circumstances and solve difficult problems independently and as part of a team.
How Trade Schools Teach Hard and Soft Skills
Trade schools employ a broad range of methods to teach hard skills, such as:
Lectures and Demonstrations
Trade school programs begin in the classroom with an introduction of the concepts and theories related to your field. Beyond lectures, instructors use visual aids, multimedia presentations and live demonstrations to reinforce technical ideas, procedures, and safety protocols. These sessions help students understand the underlying principles behind their hard skills, providing a foundation of knowledge upon which to build skills and a career.
Hands-on Training
Trade schools emphasize practical, hands-on learning experiences. They receive one-on-one, step-by-step guidance from experienced instructors who demonstrate techniques and provide detailed instructions. Students get the opportunity to work directly with the tools, equipment, and materials relevant to their chosen field, refining their skills and techniques.
Workshop and Lab Experiences
Trade schools have well-equipped workshops and laboratories in which students can practice their hard skills. A medical office administration student, for example, can practice scheduling appointments in a computer lab using practice management software, while HVAC students deconstruct air conditioners in a controlled, work-like setting. Instructors provide guidance and feedback.
Simulations and Case Studies
The use of simulation and case studies allows students to apply their hard skills to the real-world challenges they’ll encounter in the workplace. They’re a safe way for students to practice and make mistakes without the risk of harm.
Guest Speakers
Guest speakers are welcomed at trade school where they can share their knowledge and experiences with students. As professionals, they offer timely insights into current industry trends, challenges, and best practices. Their expertise helps students get a deeper understanding of their trade and different career pathways.
Internships and Externships
Many trade schools partner with local businesses to offer off-site work experience. An externship is a part of many programs. These supervised programs allow students to gain real-world work experience under the guidance of industry professionals. Externships bridge the gap between classroom training and workplace environments.
Soft skills, on the other hand, are typically developed through personal experiences, interactions and practice enhanced through self-reflection, feedback, and the willingness to learn. Some soft skills you may glean alongside hard skills, others require engaging with people socially and collaboratively, an opportunity vocational schools offer.
Among businesses, the lack of soft skills among applicants is disturbing. Technical proficiency is critical in trades, but in jobs that involve direct customer interaction, soft skills play a crucial role in providing the friendly customer service that leads to satisfied customers, repeat business, and positive word-of-mouth recommendations.
Trades often involve encountering unexpected challenges and problem-solving on the spot. Soft skills like critical thinking, adaptability and creativity enable employees to analyze situations and implement meaningful solutions. These skills are, however, more subjective and challenging to measure. You don’t get a diploma or certificate for being a people person.
How Do Trade Schools Teach Soft Skills?
Students in trade programs learn soft skills in many ways, some of which may surprise you, including:
Classroom Instruction
Learning soft skills through lectures seems counterintuitive, but some skills can be learned. There are proven techniques for improving student’s communication, time management, and critical thinking abilities. Exploring these methods plants seeds in the minds of students who can then apply the concepts in their social and educational activities.
Simulations and Role-Playing
Simulations are good for more than learning technical skills. Simulations involving what-if scenarios enable students to work through challenging workplace situations in their minds. What would you do, for example, as an IT technician, if you found a hardware problem beyond repair?
Role-playing with classmates is an extension of simulations. Students are assigned different roles and interact with one another to practice communication, teamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking, and customer service skills. It’s a great way to practice your soft skills while getting to know your peers.
Workshops and Seminars
Trade schools may offer workshops or seminars focused specifically on developing soft skills, covering topics from leadership skills to conflict resolution. You’ll learn directly from experts in their fields, adding to the concepts taught by instructors. Interactive sessions include lively discussions, role-playing exercises, and group activities.
Group Projects
The best way to learn teamwork is to practice it. Trade schools often incorporate group projects and collaborative assignments into the curriculum specifically to inspire team spirit. These activities require students to work together, fostering collaboration and communication, your grade depends on it. Group projects teach students to communicate, delegate, and work collectively to achieve goals.
Mentorship and Professional Guidance
Trade schools may offer mentorship programs in which students are paired with industry professionals who can provide expert guidance in developing soft skills. Mentors can offer insights, share experiences, clarify expectations, and provide feedback to help students cultivate their approach to coworkers and customers.
Some trade schools also offer professional development courses that specifically address how to fit into and feel comfortable in a professional environment, including how to make a good first impression with your resume and interview skills.
Workplace Experiences
The most enriching part of externships can be watching professionals work in a real-world environment. You can observe how they manage their time, how they communicate with supervisors and how they approach customers. These experiences underscore employers’ expectations for professional behavior. You’ll learn by example what it takes to succeed.
Homework
Deadlines are a fact of life in workplaces. Clients with a faulty air conditioner don’t want to wait until the snow falls for repairs to be complete. Trade school programs are work simulations, forcing students to get to class and submit assignments on time. Not meeting your instructor’s expectations will impact your grade in the same way that disappointing an employer will affect your chances for a promotion. Being on a schedule helps you cultivate better time management skills.
Social and Networking Events
Busy students may not have much of a social life. However, trade schools often organize get-to-know-you events to bring classmates and instructors together. Engaging with others in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere helps peers build friendships while practicing the soft skills they’ll need to forge relationships with future coworkers.
Similarly, networking events, like job fairs, help students connect with future employers in a casual setting. It’s a great opportunity to practice selling yourself before a formal interview.
Final Thoughts
We all have strengths and weaknesses that affect our career prospects. But trade school programs do more than teach hard skills, they help you identify and learn the soft skills that may be currently holding you back. Students graduate as better tradespersons and better people.
Want to Learn More?
We offer Vocational Classes that can help you get started on a new career or advance your current one. You’ll get hands-on vocational training, hard and soft skills, industry recognized certifications, and real-world experience prior to graduation! We also offer continuing education courses to refresh and build on your technical skills.
So, let’s take the first step together! Contact us now to learn more.
