Last year, Bethany Jett was a top student at Patterson High School in Patterson, La., with a 3.96 grade point average. But instead of attending a four-year college, the 18-year-old opted for Louisiana Technical College in Morgan City to become a licensed practical nurse in an 18-month program.

Her decision didn't make sense to some. But Ms. Jett, who already knew she wanted to be a nurse, didn't feel like spending time on a liberal-arts degree and taking courses that had little to do with her career choice. Now, she and her nursing classmates "have a common goal as to what we want to do," she says. "I didn't want to be in a classroom with people who are playing around."

Ms. Jett adds that there are others in her nursing program who were honor students and valedictorians of their class, disputing the stereotype that technical schools are for those who aren't smart enough to attend a four-year college. Although she admits to missing out on the college experience, she will graduate next year with no student loans and with credentials to get a nursing job. "I don't regret one decision," Ms. Jett says.

Increasingly, technical training is attracting students, including some top-performing ones, who are interested in starting their careers earlier.

"Enrollment in technical education has gone up," says Thomas N. Applegate, president of the Association for Career and Technical Education, an Alexandria, Va., organization dedicated to the advancement of education that prepares youths and adults for careers. He adds that people are realizing that the B.A. isn't a magic bullet.

These relatively inexpensive programs are available in high schools, community colleges and technical schools and offer certification, industry credentials, a license or an associate's degree.

In addition, a growing number of community and technical colleges have developed working relationships with four-year colleges to accept those credits for transfer. Career and technical education "is not a dead-end situation," Mr. Applegate says.

Although awareness of career and technical education has been gaining momentum for years, the sluggish economy of the past few years has undoubtedly drawn interest to programs that offer immediate access to a job after learning a specific skill. A bigger draw, experts say, is that many of these jobs are very well paid. For example, a Class A technician can earn a six-figure income.

Automotive Youth Educational Systems Inc., a Troy, Mich., nonprofit organization that pairs students with opportunities in the automotive industry, says interest in this program has climbed in recent years. Through AYES, high-school and vocational-school students learn about automotive-service technology, collision repair and refinishing. The program also includes a mentoring component within a car dealership.

"This is not a career path for someone who hasn't excelled, since this is a career as opposed to a job," says Larry Cummings, president and chief executive of AYES.

However, because of the focus on one specific topic, going this route can make career changing tough and limit one's marketability.

Large companies see the merits of career and technical education as well. Cisco Systems Inc.'s office in Research Triangle Park, N.C., has set up a "networking academy" in various educational institutions where students earn certification in technology and computer networking.

Although the company ultimately hires only those with a four-year degree, students who attend Cisco's networking academy and gain the certification nonetheless "have a tangible skill," says Joe Froddos, the director of operations. He says that some of these students can be hired by vendors or eventually by Cisco after completing a four-year degree. "We're trying to capture [students'] interest at an earlier time," he adds.