Vocational education

Vocational education is a different learning option from the path of college or universities. It offers a path that imparts the skills and knowledge needed to work in a given occupation. It is coordinated with the requirements of the labor market and is an integral part of the education system. Vocational education is more focused on practical skills though hands-on training

While college education often provides theoretical or broad knowledge that could be applied to a variety of professions within a certain field, vocational training teaches students the precise skills and knowledge needed to carry out a specific craft, technical skill or trade, such as plumbing or cooking.

The vocational type of education is designed to make students “work ready” upon graduation. It provides practical education, so students develop specific industry skills that allow them to jump right into your profession and get started. Key features of vocational education and training are classroom training combined with hands-on training, providing students with a complete understanding of concepts in their field and how to carry out the duties of their trade.

It teaches skills and knowledge for the everyday skills and duties you carry out in your particular field. It is skill based learning rather than learning that focuses on ideas and theories.

Vocational programs exist for a variety of careers. Students could choose this type of educational pathway for technical training to learn computer skills. Students can learn the skills needed for many creative fields this way, such as dressmaking, photography, culinary arts, fashion design, interior design or cosmetology. Vocational school also provides training for many hands-on trades that are necessary to the functioning of society, such as masonry, carpentry, heating and air conditioning, automotive repair, plumbing or electrical work. It can also provide the means for learning certain professional fields such as bookkeeping, medical assisting or court reporting.

Vocational training also helps people move forward in their careers. These programs are often shorter and more flexible than college or university programs. This makes it easier for people to go back to school or take continuing education to help them move to the next step. Through further education with vocational training, you could have the opportunity to:

• Advance to a higher level position in the same company or field.
• Gain the skills and knowledge needed to change careers.
• Ask for higher pay to fit a credential or specialty skill.

Instead of receiving a passing or failing grade as is done in college, student performance is based on competence that is defined by meeting certain criteria. The training provided focuses on preparing a student to meet these criteria. By the end of the vocational program, a student must demonstrate satisfactory performance on each of these criteria to be considered competent in their chosen profession. For example, a culinary arts student would need to show competence in certain cooking methods and skills to show they could work in this field upon completion of the program.