What is a Vocational College?

Are you learning more about your college options? Interested in knowing more about what a vocational college is? Vocational colleges, sometimes called technical colleges, trade colleges or career colleges are defined as a place where students learn how to do a specific vocation by learning special skills. At PCI Health Training Center, these special skills include medical assistant, dental assistant and medical office assistant training. Are you asking yourself, “What exactly is a vocational college?”

What is a Vocational College?
A vocational college is a post-secondary institution with the primary goal of preparing you for a specific job in the most concise way possible. Instead of offering a four-year college with general education requirements, vocational colleges allow you to learn the exact skills needed to start working in a short period of time.

Why Attend a Vocational College?
There are many reasons to attend a vocational college. The most important is a quick start to a new career. Other reasons to attend include small class sizes, flexible schedules and greater attention from instructors. Furthermore, many vocational colleges offer financial assistance to help you start a new career.

A Quick Start
If you are currently working, caring for family members or need a new career quickly, a vocational school can help you to start earning quickly. The programs at PCI Health Training Center allow you to graduate in as little as six to nine months with full-time attendance.

Small Class Sizes
Many vocational college classes are small in size allowing you to create a strong relationship with instructors and fellow classmates. This is a great way to start networking for a new job once you graduate. Networking is a great way to find a job. Getting to know your instructors and fellow classmates gives you a head start.

Flexible Schedules
If you are taking care of family members, working while you go to school or have another obligation in addition to attending school, a vocational college offers convenient schedules to meet your needs. Some vocational colleges offer a hybrid curriculum with both in-class and online education. These days, you may be looking for convenience and vocational colleges can meet your needs.

One-On-One Instructor Attention
Small class sizes also allow you to receive one-on-one attention from your vocational college instructors. You can speak directly with instructors and have more time to ask questions and learn specific skills during your education. This will allow you to gain insights into the medical community.

Financial Assistance
Many vocational colleges offer financial aid assistance to students that qualify. As an accredited institution, PCI Health Training Center is eligible to participate in Title IV Student Financial Assistance programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education. These services offer loans and grant assistance for students that qualify under the federal guidelines. Veterans are eligible to receive benefits from the VA Educational benefits program.

What are the Benefits of Attending a Vocational College?
There are many different benefits to attending a vocational college. You can get real world experience, access to career services, specialized training and a head start in a growing field.

Real World Experience
A big part of a vocational college program is an externship. This allows you to get real world experience that you can add to your resume. Having experience will give you a head start on other graduates. Real world experience will also build your confidence when you begin your new career.

Career Services
Many vocational colleges offer career services to graduates. Although a job is not guaranteed, vocational colleges have ties with the community and may help you find a job throughout your career. Many clinics and doctor’s offices in the community work with vocational colleges to provide curriculum advisement, provide externships or even jobs for graduates. This is a great way to showcase that you are trained and ready to start working right away.

Specialized Training
Vocational colleges focus on individual industries and particular skill sets. They are committed to building your skill set and preparing you to enter a specific industry and profession. With this training and a diploma from a vocational college, you may start working right away in a specialized job.

Growth in Medical & Dental Fields
With the increased population and retiring baby boomer generation, medical and dental professionals will be needed more than ever. Dentists and physicians will need assistance to see more patients, allowing medical and dental assistants to support them during exams and minor surgeries. Medical assisting and medical office assistant professions are expected to grow 23 percent from 2018 to 2028, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Dental assisting professions are expected to grow 11 percent. The growth in these fields opens up opportunities for you to start a new career.

Final Thoughts
There are many good reasons and benefits to attending a vocational college. Now that you know what a vocational college is and why you should attend, it is time to learn more about the vocational colleges near you. Starting a rewarding and challenging new career is just around the corner.

Did learning about what a vocational college is interest you? PCI Health Training Center offers programs in medical assisting, dental assisting and medical office assisting. We are a private vocational college committed to preparing students for the Healthcare industry. PCI provides hands-on training and externships that provide real-world experience which prepare you for the first day at your new career. Contact PCI Health Training Center for more information on how to start a rewarding career today.

**PCI firmly upholds its policy of nondiscrimination. Inquiries regarding policy may be directed to TitleIXCoordinator@pcihealth.com.

For more information about our graduation rates and other important information, please visit our website at www.pcihealth.edu/consumer-information.