Education is the key to success in the professional field as it imparts necessary knowledge, skills, beliefs, and values that can make people successful. Education is the requisite for success as the educational institutions impart the information to make people face challenges in their career. One of the significant fields of education that focusses on providing necessary skills to make an impact in the career is Vocational Training
What is Vocational Training?
The vocational training/Education focus on providing skills and knowledge on a specific craft, job or trade to make people more proficient. The school work is restricted to exams, homework, and assignment that focuses more on the theory aspect. Getting high marks is the main aim while studying in the school as it shows the success of the student. With the evolution of technology, it is important for the students to become proactive and fine-tune their skills to meet the demands of the industry.
Read Also: Differences Between Community Colleges and Vocational Schools
So, just understanding the concepts by learning the subjects is not enough. Getting extra help by watching tutorials or articles can enhance the knowledge. But, to meet the high expectations of the corporate world, students need hands-on experience. Vocational training offers the students an out-of-box experience along with practical training on the specific trade to make them highly skilled.
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Link Between Theory And Practical To Meet The Demands
The vocational training focusses on the practical application of any trade or skill by concentrating on getting direct training. The vocational training (also known as VET) allows the students to think out-of-the-box and spread their knowledge base. Unlike the traditional academic course, it gives more importance to the practical application rather than theory. It is the bridge that reduces the gap between the educational and the working environment. Therefore, students can equip themselves with the latest skills on the specific trade and not care about the other subjects.
Vocational training is growing in popularity around the world as it meets the demands of the industry by providing a highly-skilled workforce. The workers with vocational training have the expertise to overcome the issues at a faster pace. The vocational training offers reasonable training and is non-scholastic in nature. Students pursuing vocational training can start a job straightway as the courses give the necessary experience to find the opted trade. It empowers a person to become more accomplished in the chosen field of work.
Why Vocational Training?
The vocational training gives the student a definite edge over the peers and is more credible compared to the academic degrees. The superior level of knowledge and practical experience allows the students to possess more expertise that proves valuable in the professional field. People can start the training at the school level and complete their vocational degree programs to gain employment swiftly. It is highly rewarding compared to the other courses as the student are well-prepared to overcome any challenge.
The credibility of such courses is not challenged as the recognized organization offers such courses to perform the specific occupation. With a majority of students opting for the college education or technical education, the market is flooded with the overeducated individual. It has resulted in underpaid workers who are overqualified for the job. The vocational training offers a reprieve as the demand for people with good training in specific areas is on a rise. The current workforce of skilled employees in specific areas is low as the supply never meets the demand.
Types Of Vocational Training
As a part of the tertiary training, the vocational training program puts full prominence on the knowledge and abilities necessary for the specific job or trade. The training program covers a wide range of industries and careers from office work, technology, hospitality, to retail. The common types of vocational training offered are;
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Administration Schools
The vocational program offered here will equip the students for different administrative careers including administrative assistants, legal assistants, office clerks, medical assistants, etc. The two-year program prepares the students to face the various challenges of the administrative sector.
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Trade Schools
It mainly provides education in trades like construction, car repair, blacksmith, and plumbing. The courses have a duration of three years that includes the workshop instructions along with the classroom work. So, the students get the comprehensive training required to practice the trade freely. By completing the course, the student can obtain a license to start their work.
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Nursing Schools
With the medical field focusing on providing the best care for the patients, it requires highly skilled nursing professionals to increase the efficiency. The good medical care is significant to increase the average lifespan. So, the course concentrates on shaping a nursing professional who can meet the demands effectively. Though demanding, the profession is also highly rewarding.
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Internships
The internships are quite popular in the business world as it offers hands-on training from the definitive source to get the necessary exposure needed for flourishing in the industry. The vocational training in the specific field of study will give an edge to the students as it helps them acquire a position they desire in the industry.
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Aesthetic Schools
It is for the creative minds who seek expertise in the artistic fields. The duration of the course varies from two to three years for fields like cosmetology, hair styling, and interior decorations. The course offers the required proficiency as students need no require any apprenticeship after the course completion.
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Continuing Education/Adult Education
It is the vocational course for adults who have a job. The employed people can take the course for their career development as it offers them training to expand their skillset. The employers send their employees to such courses to keep them updated with the current concepts needed to remain competitive in the market. The employers pay for the course as it is to motivate the employees to make them highly capable.
Different Types Of Vocational Programs
The vocational training programs are divided into different categories namely;
- High School CTE programs: The Career and Technical Education Program for the high school students prepare them for college as well as a career as they learn how to use the academic subjects like mathematics, science, and writing in the real life.
- Diploma Programs: The courses are offered by trade schools, community college, or vocational school to focus more on a job or a specific trade.
- Certification Programs: The program is for specific career fields like computer technology, office management, healthcare, and skilled trade. It provides more knowledge about the field to make the aspirant more competitive.
- Associate Degree Programs: The two-year duration course is offered by a technical school or community college. It is the stepping stone for a four-year course or students can pursue a career after completing it.
Apart from the above programs, internet-based vocational training is also available for students who can study the nuances of a specific trade at their home without going out. The vocational training program can have a positive influence on the students as well as the society as it can shape the minds of young people. So, they get the skills to join the competitive market and join hands in the development of the nation. The courses are structured to nurture the skills of the aspirants and optimize it to move forward towards a bright future.
Schools Imparting Vocational Training
The trade schools or technical schools concentrate on preparing the students to face the challenges of the specific career or occupation. Unlike the traditional academic colleges or universities, greater emphasis is on providing the hands-on experience rather than delving deep into the theoretical content. It offers a practical training to focus on the job. The courses prepare the students for the entry-level work without getting more training.
The vocational schools provide secondary, skilled trade, and post-secondary degrees rather than the academic degree. But, some institutions have grown from awarding certificates and associate’s degree to offering the academic degrees like bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. People working full-time or taking up other responsibilities can opt for the online courses provided by many recognized vocational schools. So, students can log-into their course within the comforts of their home anytime. It eliminates the need to attend the weekend or night classes.
It is ideal for aspiring people with self-motivation to learn new skills without sacrificing their job. The requirements to get into the various programs offered by the vocational school is minimum compared to getting into universities for academic programs. So, it is easy for people to join vocational schools as it is flexible and lenient.
Common Vocational Programs
Though several vocational programs are available in the market, some are very common and preferred by the people. The market demand for the courses makes it more lucrative compared to the others.
Healthcare and Social Assistance
The vocational training in the field opens many possibilities for the aspirants as the market is in high demand for the professionals. The qualified people can work as nursing assistants in hospitals, care home, care services during the day or residential services, etc. The current requirement for qualified people for the healthcare industry is very high.
Construction Industry
In spite of the ups and downs in the economy, the housing sector will always fair as well as the need for good residence is always present. So, the construction industry constantly hires people with high skills like electricians, masons, plumbers, building inspectors, and many others.
Food Service
It is the largest industry that requires a lot of employees to meet the demands. So, the industry is always in need of fresh labor. The employees like food processing workers and chefs are in high demands as the industry has bright prospects. With people liking to eat good food, the industry has the potential and prospects to reach greater heights.
Manufacturing Sector
The manufacturing sector is an integral part of a country’s economic growth, so it always hires people with immense talent and skills. The vocational training for the specific sector makes an individual equipped to perform the advanced manufacturing with adeptness. The enhanced skills will enable them to earn good salaries.
Cosmetology and Hair Stylists
With the increase in fashion trend, every woman likes to dress well and look stunning. So, the demand is high for the field as no matter the season women always have to look beautiful to give them confidence. The main attraction of the career is that without having any skills a person can opt for the course and get the advanced training to become successful. As the highly-sought after profession, it pays well for people with good talent and skill.
Trucking and Transport Industry
The transport sector is the lifeline of a country’s economy as it transfers the essential goods and service from one place to another. So, the industry requires employs a large number of people to meet the rising demands. The industry offers decent wages to live comfortably, so people with less academic qualification can take the courses to get the job. With driving experience, high school diploma and a certificate from the vocational course, one can get the job without difficulty.
Accounting and Bookkeeping
The mid-size to small businesses require people with accounting knowledge to make the operation run smoother. The accounts clerks with the basic knowledge can expand their horizon with the advanced courses offered by the vocational training to become accomplished accounts professionals.
Auto Service
The number of people who own a car has risen over the years as the four-wheeler is now a necessity rather than a luxury. So, the cars on the roads require servicing and maintenance to keep it in good condition. Apart from that, many people seek help to add customized features to their cars to make a statement. Aspirants interested in car repair and service can take the vocational training to seek job opportunities in the thriving sector.
Computer and IT Support
Anyone with the interest in the computer sector can get the necessary training to become a computer expert. The vocational training courses impart skills to make the individuals become an asset to the management. So, people getting the training can become a team player, work with diligence, and take additional responsibility to ensure the growth of the company. The courses optimize the skills of the students to make them highly competent and become indispensable to the organization.
Well Paying Vocational Jobs
The vocational jobs have taken off in the recent years with the high job growth in specific sectors and the lack of skilled workers. The people specialized in a specific trade by taking the vocational courses have a high chance of getting good salaries. The well-paying vocational jobs currently are;
| Vocational Course | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Commercial Pilot | $121000 |
| Sales Representatives | $93000 |
| Plumber | $43,500 |
| Electrician | $51,500 |
| Web Developer | $64600 |
| Radiation Therapist | $77500 |
| Registered Nurses | $65000 |
| Appliance Repairer | $43000 |
| Dental Hygienists | $70000 |
| Surgical Technologist | $42500 |
| Multimedia Artists | $62000 |
| Respiratory Therapists | $55600 |
| Brick Mason | $38000 |
| Executive Housekeeper | $33500 |
| Firefighter | $32400 |
How To Choose The Best Vocational School
Choosing the right institution for getting the vocation training is an important decision that many people stress about. Some schools only focus on money and they do not provide the necessary knowledge to the students. To find a good school that offers quality education to improve the career prospects of the students, it is important to note certain points.
- Class Size: The class size is an integral factor while choosing a vocational course from an institution as the student must have an ideal atmosphere to enhance their knowledge. The spacious classrooms with good infrastructure offer a competitive environment to get a good understanding of the specific trade.
- Curriculum: The curriculum of the course must focus on providing more practical knowledge to the students. So, it must have a strong background with proficient faculties to equip the students with the necessary skills.
- Credentials: The vocational schools must have the accreditation to ensure it has high-quality standards. A licensed school/college can offer good course structure that can meet the demands of the industry.
- Finance Option: The other factor is the overall cost of the course, so the students need to check with the financial advisor to get the loan options to complete their course.
Advantages Of Vocational Training
A person with a clear idea about what they want to do with their career can opt the vocational courses. It will provide specialized training to meet the demands of the industry. It also offers several advantages like;
- Cost-effective Education
The college education is not affordable to many students as it is quite expensive with all the additional costs. The vocational course is the ideal solution in such cases as the low-priced courses focusing on the specific trade is the right alternative for people who cannot afford to go to a university.
- Acquire Job Immediately
The vocational course encompasses the right formula for the specific job by imparting the abilities and skills compulsory for the job. The course is arranged after taking the recommendation from the employees to meet their demands. So, it contains classroom guideline along with the practical experience required to excel in the field. The workshop-based education puts pressure on giving hands-on knowledge to the students and makes them the leader in the field.
- Gain Necessary Skills
Apart from getting the expertise in the specific field, the vocational courses also equip the students to apply their knowledge in real life situations. It imparts interpersonal skills to work well in a team with other people and ensure success.
- Get An Edge Over Peers
On the employment market, the students who have completed the vocation course get more prominence as they get precise knowledge about the job. The students have potential, personality, skill, and education for the job. Therefore, they become a valuable asset to the organization compared to the systematic college pass outs with no practical knowledge.
- Become Successful
As the vocational courses have a short duration, employed people can pursue the course to enhance their knowledge base. It will improve their career prospects by enriching the resume and pave the way to success.
Tedx Talks About Vocational Education
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ImqIIVA9uA
Conclusion
The vocational courses are structured to meet the ever-evolving need of the industry, so it can make an individual’s life secure. It makes them well-prepared to face the obstacles in their career and get high rewards. The vocational courses can help an aspiring student to become economically liberated at a young age.