Vocational education affords students—particularly working adults returning to the education system—the opportunity to receive specialized education in a particular discipline in a relatively short amount of time. Traditional education is truncated to permit the most relevant curriculum and incorporate a high degree of professional training and hands-on experience in an effort to familiarize students with an actual workplace scenario.

The types of training received vary with trades and career choices as well as by institution. Two types of vocational training institutions exist in the forms of career colleges and trade schools. While the terms are often used interchangeably, there are fundamental differences which must be acknowledged.

The primary distinction between career colleges and trade schools is that career colleges are primarily concerned with for-profit education. While the source of funding is different, each is accountable for quality of education to determine institutional reputation and credibility. Various accrediting intuitions exist to ensure that vocational schools meet minimum standard requirements and are capable of delivering adequate training and support for the student body.

Trade schools focus heavily on the actual skills being developed in a particular industry or trade (i.e. auto mechanic training = how to perform repairs). Career colleges offer a synthesis of trade skill training and background science and theory—incorporating elements of technical school training. Additionally, career colleges emphasize career development skills like resume writing, interview training, and interpersonal communication.

For-profit institutions like career colleges are often subject to scams and unfair practices which can deter students from pursuing career training. Students are encouraged to research any institution and verify accreditations prior to enrollment.