--- title: What's the Difference? Skilled Trades Certificate vs. Diploma description: When pursuing a skilled trades career, what is the difference between a college diploma and a certificate from a private career college? image: https://blog.getatrade.com/hs-fs/hub/388155/file-2192909011.jpg --- [![NHSTA_Round-Logo_2021_NO-BACKGROUND](https://blog.getatrade.com/hs-fs/hubfs/NHSTA_Round-Logo_2021_NO-BACKGROUND.png?width=150&height=150&name=NHSTA_Round-Logo_2021_NO-BACKGROUND.png) ](http://getatrade.com) # Skilled Trades Blog # What's the Difference? Skilled Trades Certificate vs. Diploma Posted by [Brad Dixon](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/author/brad-dixon) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![trades_education.jpg](https://blog.getatrade.com/hs-fs/hub/388155/file-2192909011.jpg?width=640&name=file-2192909011.jpg "trades_education.jpg") When you are deciding the best course of action to pursue an education in the skilled trades in Ontario, there are a few options available. Ultimately, you need to attend some version of post-secondary schooling to qualify for a jobs in the skilled trades, but which is more appropriate: traditional college courses or a private career college? If you attend a traditional Ontario college program for a skilled trade, you will be working toward a diploma and take a minimum of 2 years of study. Alternatively, a private career college awards a certificate and/or license upon completion, with programs that tend to be shorter and more intensive, with smaller class sizes and hands-on learning experience. ## College diploma vs. Private Career College certificate So, what's the difference between a college diploma and a skilled trades certificate from a private career college? Both are achievements that you receive when you successfully complete the program or courses you have enrolled in. Some schools may use these terms interchangably, however diploma programs are typically more comprehensive (and longer) programs. These programs also may not give you a skilled trades license, which you receive upon successfully completing an exam from the Ontario College of Trades. Private career colleges, however, tend to be shorter courses, focused exclusively on the skills needed to pass your final Ontario College of Trades exam. ## Deciding on your skilled trades education  When deciding on your post-secondary education path to a skilled trades career, there are many factors to think consider. Think about the following questions when making your decision:   1. What interests you? What skills do you have now that you can expand on to build a successful career? 2. What is the type of training or level of education required by the industry to work in your field of interest? Will you need a diploma to get hired? Or a specialized training program that will provide you with a certificate and/or license? Talk to schools, employers and trades people to find out what is required. 3. Are there [employment opportunities](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/benefits-of-working-in-the-skilled-trades-job-availability) in your chosen field? 4. What type of learner are you? Do you prefer [hands-on learning](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/the-benefits-of-hands-on-skilled-trades-training)? 5. What type of environment do you learn best in? A large group environment or in a smaller move individualized setting? 6. How much time are you willing to commit to your education? Can you attend classes full-time or do you need a [part-time program](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/earn-while-you-learn-part-time-in-the-skilled-trades)? 7. How much money can you invest in your education? Are there [financial aid options](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/financing-your-future-assistance-for-your-skilled-trades-education) for the program you are interested in? Think a private career college is the right choice? Find out more about how you can fund your skilled trades education with our FREE ebook: [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/388155/29a9dcf9-8656-4756-ac58-ae5fe535feb3.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/388155/29a9dcf9-8656-4756-ac58-ae5fe535feb3) Topics: [Course Length and Time](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/course-length-and-time), [Trade School](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/trade-school), [Ontario College of Trades](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/ontario-college-of-trades), [Ontario Gas Technician Training](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/ontario-gas-technician-training) ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [Gas Technician (59)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/gas-technician) - [Career Opportunities (48)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/career-opportunities) - [Skilled Trades (29)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/skilled-trades) - [Gas Technician Careers (27)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/gas-technician-careers) - [Ontario Gas Technician Training (23)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/ontario-gas-technician-training) - [Trade School (19)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/trade-school) - [Course Length and Time (18)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/course-length-and-time) - [HVAC Careers (16)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/hvac-careers) - [Hands On Learning (16)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/hands-on-learning) - [Ontario Gas Technician (14)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/ontario-gas-technician) - [Transferrable Skills (14)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/transferrable-skills) - [Class Length (12)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/class-length) - [Women in the trades (12)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/women-in-the-trades) - [Graduate Profile (11)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/graduate-profile) - [Funding (10)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/funding) - [Skilled Trades Myths (9)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/skilled-trades-myths) - [Air Conditioning (8)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/air-conditioning) - [Night School (8)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/night-school) - [Ontario College of Trades (8)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/ontario-college-of-trades) - [Adult Education (7)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/adult-education) - [Air Conditioning technician (6)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/air-conditioning-technician) - [Training Schedule (6)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/training-schedule) - [Ontario HVAC Training (4)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/ontario-hvac-training) - [Halton Campus (3)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/halton-campus) - [Skilled Trades Career Fair (3)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/skilled-trades-career-fair) - [Skilled Trades Shortage (3)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/skilled-trades-shortage) - [Small Class Size (3)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/small-class-size) - [TSSA (3)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/tssa) - [Oakville Campus (2)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/oakville-campus) - [Ozone Depletion Prevention (2)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/ozone-depletion-prevention) - [National Skilled Trades and Technology Week (1)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/national-skilled-trades-and-technology-week) - [National Tradesmen Day (1)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/national-tradesmen-day) - [ODP (1)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/odp) - [Onto (1)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/onto) - [Summer Courses (1)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/summer-courses) see all ### Follow Me - Course Information - [Course Calendar](http://getatrade.com/course-calendar/) - [Course Information](http://getatrade.com/course-information/) - [Ozone Depletion Prevention](http://getatrade.com/ozone-depletion-prevention/) - [Gas Technician](http://getatrade.com/gas-technician/) - About Our School - [About Us](http://getatrade.com/about/) - [Blog](http://getatrade.com/blog/) - [Resources](http://getatrade.com/resources/) ©2015 Skilled Trades Academy· Built with love by [Hughes & Co.](http://www.hughesandco.ca) Niagara and Halton Skilled Trades Academies are Technical Standards and Safety Authority training providers and are registered as a Career College under the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005.