A vocational or trade school is a school which focuses on providing graduates with marketable skills. Common examples of trade schools include maritime academies, esthetician colleges, culinary schools, automotive repair training programs, and training for medical technicians. After graduating from a trade school, an individual will be able to immediately enter the job market with his or her skills, and be able to receive a high rate of compensation.

Many programs for disadvantaged youth around the world encourage them to attend trade schools so that they will have a viable escape route from often less than ideal living situations. In some cases, youth are gathered together centrally in a supportive location which helps them pick out trade schools of interest and pursue an education. Because a trade school is less costly to attend, and provides graduates with immediately useful skills and sometimes job placement services, going to trade school is an option that many high school graduates consider in alternative to a college or university.

Many trade school programs are equivalent to college programs, and most of them last for a minimum of two years, but sometimes much longer. In a well run trade school, students will learn the basics of their trade and be able to practice it. In addition, most trade school educations offer financial planning advice along with courses in business ethics and workshops to acquaint students with the legal issues surrounding their chosen trade. After graduating, a student will be certified, and eligible to take any state administered tests which may pertain to his or her trade.

In some parts of the world, trade schools are associated with minimal education, but this is a misconception. While graduates of trade schools do not have the background that a liberal arts education provides, they are highly trained and skilled individuals who often receive well grounded educations in addition to their technical training. Admission to trade schools is rigorous, and most of them are accredited, just like colleges are, and subject to review to ensure that their curricula are strong.

For many students, the trade school environment is more supportive of their long term goals than a traditional college. Many trade schools receive assistance from the government so that they can offer housing, childcare, nutrition education, and other options to disadvantaged students, usually for free or at a minimal price. Job placement services are often an important part of the offerings of a trade school, and staff follow up with their students to see how they are performing in the outside world after graduation.