formal education is usually in school, where a person may learn basic, academic, or trade skills. small children often attend a nursery or kindergarten but often formal education begins in elementary school and continues with secondary school. post-secondary education (or higher education) is usually at a college or university which may grant an academic degree. or, students may go to a city college where they learn practical skills. this way learners can become qualified to be plumbers, electricians, builders and similar occupations. these course have arrangements for students to get practical experience. apprenticeship was the older way to do this,