| Purpose | Provide precise training required for entry-level employment in an in-demand career field. | Provide useful skills and knowledge for an in-demand career field. |
| Program Design | Programs must follow specific guidelines (State Frameworks) that are developed in partnership with growing industries. This ensures that students will have the skills employers are looking for. | Programs can be more creatively designed, but representatives from local business or industry must be consulted. |
| Amount of Training | Students spend about half of their time (at least 900 hours) engaged in technical training. | Students take at least two courses (300 or more hours) that build on one another, developing skills relevant to the career field. |
| Teacher qualifications | Teachers must be licensed to teach a specific career area at the high school level. Their license also requires them to have extensive experience in the field. | Teachers must be licensed to teach high school, and may have experience in the field. However, career experience is not required. |
| Student Work Experiences | Almost always offer "Co-Op" or internship experiences with partnering employers outside of the school. | May or may not offer work experiences outside of the school. |
| Credentials Earned | In most cases, students can achieve a program-related license or certification; or earn credit toward college or towards apprenticeship in a Trade. | Students might or might not have opportunities to achieve a license, certification, or college credit. |