They both refer to a type of job where you go to school only to learn that  specific job.  

The Merriam Webster dictionary defines these words:

• VOCATION (noun)  vō-ˈkā-shən  

1.  the work in which a person is employed  (similar word is OCCUPATION)

2.  the persons engaged in a particular occupation

3. the special function of an individual or group (for example, "I'm a carpenter by VOCATION, but my hobby is painting")

• TRADE (noun) ˈtrād  

1. an occupation requiring manual or mechanical skill  (similar word is CRAFT)

2.  the business or work in which one engages regularly (similar word is OCCUPATION)

3. the persons engaged in an occupation, business, or industry (for example "I work in the construction TRADE")

Vocational Training is an educational program that provides students with instruction and training for a field or trade. 

Examples: 

• Dental hygienists 

• Mechanical engineering technicians 

• Fitness trainers 

• Plumbers 

(from the U.S. Department of Labor website dol.gov)

All of these refer to the same type of education - A program where you can choose to earn a certificate, degree, or diploma  in a specific career. 

• These schools train you for a variety of technical positions, including automotive technician, computer technician, hairstylist, medical assistant, truck driver, and many others 

• The time to earn your certificate, degree or diploma  range from 3 months to 2 years.

If you know what career you want to pursue, it is best to start with talking to your College and Career Counselor and your Transition Specialist. 

Additionally, you can look for schools or programs using the CareerOneStop training finder by clicking here....be aware that some schools they list are expensive private schools. Your College and Career Counselor and Transition Specialist can help you find the most inexpensive programs to get your education. 

Is a website that can help you learn about different apprenticeships in Plumbing, HVAC (aka Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning), and Electrical careers. 

Click  on the logo to explore their website. 

Did you know that CTE (Career Technical Education) is a graduation requirement? If you are interested in hands-on vocational programs, taking classes through your high school's CTE program is a great first step. Other things you can do is join (or create!) a club related to what you want to do as a career.

The real first step is to visit your school's college and career center! 

• Get to know the counselors there!!! 

• Sign up for their email updates (and check your emails!!!) 

• They will help you narrow down which vocational program offers the career path you are interested in, 

• If the vocational program is on a college campus, your college and career counselors will help you complete the college application, and 

• They will help you apply for financial aid and scholarships (FREE MONEY!!!)

Pre-Apprenticeship means "before the apprenticeship program". These programs teach you some basic skills in all skilled trade programs (such as construction, plumbing, etc.), and assist you in choosing and getting to the next step which is the pay-as-you-learn apprenticeship program.  

Best of all, each of these three programs are FREE!!!! 

If you complete the application process and submit all documentation they require, you can receive a "scholarship" to these programs just for having an IEP in high school.

Scroll down on this page to learn more about apprenticeship programs.

Some students either have difficulty with school or would rather just learn a job. In college, you can learn a job in a shorter amount of time, meaning you are in class for less than a year or two. These programs are called Certification (meaning earn a "Certificate") programs. Check out the Certification (identified with "CA") programs at the schools below. 

Key:

AA or AS = means you earn an Associates Degree (min 2 years of school)

AA-T or AS-T = means you earn an Associates Degree and are also transferable to a university program.

CA = means you earn a Certificate of Achievement (typically short term of time in school generally 4-10 classes total, learning a job specialization or specific skill)

CS = means you earn a Certificate of Specialization (typically short term of time in school generally 3-6 classes total, learning a job specialization or specific skill)

SC = means you earn a Skills Certificate by taking fewer than 12 units (1 to 3 classes)

CC = means you earn a Certificate of Completion usually after taking one class

Sometimes also called DRC [Disability Resource Center] or DSPS [Disablilty Support Programs and Services] , these are offices on the college campus that specifically support students with IEPs or 504 plans.  Think of it as having a case manager in college, except instead of regular meetings with your teacher and parents, you have to set up the meetings with the counselor in this office. 

The best thing to do is to contact this office in the summer and connect with them. They will likely ask for your last IEP report and last Psychoeducational report (the report that the School Psychologist presents at your big IEP every 3 years). 

From Apprenticeship.gov: "Apprenticeship is an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience, classroom instruction, and a portable, nationally-recognized credential." 

Read more on Apprenticeship.gov

The best way is to participate in one of the local pre-apprenticeship programs (see previous section). 

But if you want to learn more about Apprenticeship requirements, you can read about it here.

The best way is to participate in one of the local pre-apprenticeship programs (see previous section). 

But if you want to learn more about Apprenticeship requirements, you can read about it here.