for Consumers
FTC FACTS
SERVICES1-877-FTC-HELPFEDERAL TRADE COMMISSIONFOR THE CONSUMERwww.ftc.govhether you’re new to the job market or looking to enhance your
skills, a private vocational or correspondence school can be an
excellent starting point for furthering your career. These schools
train students for a variety of skilled jobs, including automotive technician,
medical assistant, hair stylist, interior designer, electronics technician, parale-
gal and truck driver. Some schools also help students identify prospective
employers and apply for jobs.
While many private vocational and correspondence schools are reputable and
teach the skills necessary to get a good job, others may not be as trustworthy.
Their main objective may be to increase profits by increasing enrollment. They
do this by promising more than they can deliver.
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Facts for Consumers
For example, they may mislead prospective
students about the salary potential of certain
jobs or the availability of jobs in certain fields.
They also may overstate the extent of their job
training programs, the qualifications of their
teachers, the nature of their facilities and equip-
ment, and their connections to certain busi-
nesses and industries.
It’s not always easy to spot the false claims that
some schools may make, but there are steps
consumers can take to make sure that the school
they enroll in is reputable and trustworthy.
Do Some Homework
Before enrolling in a vocational or correspon-
dence school, do some homework. Here’s how:
• Consider whether you need additional
training or education to get the job you
want. It’s possible that the skills you’ll need
can be learned “on the job.” Look at em-
ployment ads for positions that you’re
interested in and call the employer to learn
what kind of experience is important for
those positions.
• Investigate training alternatives, like com-
munity colleges. The tuition may be less
than at private schools. Also, some busi-
nesses offer education programs through
appr