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Enrollment at colleges has declined in recent years and trade school enrollment has increased, as the article in last winter’s Union Education Trust online magazine explored. However, UET benefits were established to support all types of lifelong learning. UET can be used for vocational courses, career college programs, and short-term training – in addition to college courses.
There are many benefits to a trades-focused education, both in how the training is structured and what students gain from these types of knowledge and skills. Many state employment opportunities require these skills. State jobs in the fields of maintenance and facilities, healthcare and security, and even IT and logistics require trades-focused education or experience. If you are not sure how to use your UET benefit, you should consider a trade or vocational program.
Trade school training is student-friendly
There are several ways that trade and vocational school courses are well-suited for students who may be returning to the classroom. Many “non-traditional” students prefer taking hands-on courses in which they are actively learning and applying the skills. Instead of reading or listening to a lecture, these students are using the tools of their trade and completing tasks, refining their skills.
Most trade and vocational school programs are shorter than four-year college degrees. You could earn a certificate or degree in less than two years and maybe as fast as six months. The courses are offered on a rolling schedule, not just in the fall or spring.
In addition, the classes are generally smaller with more one-on-one instruction from the teacher. All of these factors make a trade or vocational school course an ideal way for students to return to the classroom to learn a new skill or trade.
What you can achieve with your trade-school degree or certificate
Once you have completed a trade- or vocational-school degree or certificate, there are many useful applications for your new skills. If you are already employed in that field, staying current with technology or adding to your skill set brings employment security. You may also be eligible for a promotion or have the potential for increased earnings.
In addition, having the degree or certificate in a skilled trade enables you to change careers or move to a different state job. This career mobility means that you can become qualified for a job with a better schedule or different working conditions. Gaining trades skills can even improve working conditions or present opportunities within your current State position (see Shaping My Future: Robert Salminen in this edition of the UET eMagazine). All of these opportunities are possible with this type of training.
Another useful application of a trade- or vocational-school course is in your daily life. Many of these programs of study can be applied to home ownership or other daily needs. You may save money in home or car maintenance and repairs – or beautician visits or healthcare appointments – because of your new expertise.
How to use your UET benefits for trade or vocational training
Several UET programs assist with this type of education. Career Improvement Program’s benefit of $4,000, per fiscal year, can be used for several programs that are not college credit (although it can be used for that as well). You can use your CIP funds for hands-on trades-focused education through several programs:
Both the Career College Vocational Education (CCVE) and Vocational Education (VE) programs are for pre-approved courses at a career college and public adult career centers throughout Ohio and beyond. Both programs – CCVE and VE – are voucher-only programs which means that members should apply to UET for their educational benefit before taking the course. In this way, the burden of out-of-pocket expense for education is minimized.
The Specialty Education Programs (SE-IT and SE-CDL) both fall under UET’s CIP umbrella so the $4,000 benefit can be applied to either. The SE-IT program enables participants to attend non-college credit information technology courses to further their careers or keep current on that ever-developing field. The IT program also allows for a prepay option for members who want to attend qualifying schools that are not currently participating in the UET program. The SE-CDL program allows participants to actually combine two separate fiscal years’ worth of CIP funds to take a CDL-A or CDL-B program at any one of the truck driving schools around the state that participates in the program.
All of the programs and courses offered through UET from these learning institutions are directly related to State of Ohio employment and classifications. You can search a course of study that interests you on the UET website through the School/Course Search function. Once there, you will find education focused on topics like welding, HVAC, electrical work, and even first responder programs like peace officer, fire fighter, and EMT. Accelerated nursing programs are also common at these schools.
Vocational courses, career college programs, and short-term trainings offer eligible state bargaining unit members the opportunity to pursue lifelong learning that fits their schedules and interests. These programs are a great way to “try out” using your UET benefit.