what is a vocational course in college

by Fausto Cormier 8 min read

Vocational degrees are academic certificates awarded to students who have completed degree requirements for a specific trade or career. Completing a vocational degree program typically takes less time than a traditional undergraduate program, though this time varies by state.

Full Answer

What are vocational courses and classes?

What Are Vocational Courses and Classes?

  • Course Topics. Vocational instruction is offered in many areas, including health care, creative fields, computer networking, food preparation, and cosmetology.
  • Types of Programs. Vocational programs mainly lead to industry skills certificates, either for credit or noncredit and associate's degrees.
  • Available Vocational Schools. ...

What are the different types of vocational programs?

  • Agriculture;
  • Business and office;
  • Marketing and distribution;
  • Health;
  • Home economics;
  • Technical education (including protective services, computers and data processing, engineering and science technologies, and communication technologies); and
  • Trade and industry.

What is an example of a vocational school?

  • Plumbing
  • Welding
  • Paralegal
  • Computer support
  • Laboratory science technology
  • Real estate
  • Hospitality
  • Firefighting
  • Automotive
  • Cooking

What exactly is vocational training?

What exactly is vocational training?

  • Vocational training can also, amongst other things, be called: It equips you with real skills, as opposed to theoretical knowledge only. ...
  • Formal education. You can start vocational training at secondary school level already – by completing a Technical Matric Certificate.
  • Apprenticeship. ...
  • On-the-job training. ...
  • Continuous development. ...

What are the skills required for vocational courses?

Skills required for vocational courses are related to the particular discipline. Students can choose the vocational courses as per their interests.

What is the duration of vocational courses?

The duration of the vocational course is usually 1-2 years. However, students must check the entire vocational course details before enrolling in a...

What are the job opportunities after vocational courses?

The job opportunities after vocational courses are industry-specific. Students can opt for top vocational courses like beautician, hospitality and...

What is the minimum eligibility for a vocational course?

Minimum qualification for a vocational course is class 8. But students must go through the course details before taking admission in any vocational...

Can one pursue a vocational course in distance mode?

Yes, IGNOU offers various vocational courses in distance mode such as masters in IT, entrepreneurship, etc.

What is a vocational course?

Vocational course is an educational discipline that helps an individual to acquire skills that are required for a particular trade. Vocational courses are generally non academic and are entirely related to a specific trade, occupation or vocation.

What is vocational training?

Vocational courses are meant for the purpose of training which is pursued by students who want to develop practical skills rather than theoretical knowledge. Vocational courses are often pursued by a student right after class 10+2, in any of the streams like Photography, Music, Bakery, Food Production, Software Development, etc.

How long is a vocational diploma?

Vocational Diploma and PG Diploma may be a 1-2 year course, depending upon the extent of study. A Vocational diploma may be a 1-year course which will be pursued after completion of 10+2 and even after 10th in some cases.

How long is a vocational certificate?

Vocational Certificate Courses are usually available in offline mode which are 6-month long programs. There are few institutes like IGNOU that provide online or distance education in vocational courses. Vocational certificate courses usually help to develop a specific technique or become prominent in technology.

What are the entrance exams for vocational courses?

The various Vocational Course entrance exams are: BHU-PET, IPU-CET etc. Diploma in Vocational Course and Undergraduation in Vocational Course are the most opted courses.

How long is a PG diploma?

PG Diploma may be a 1-2 year-long course which will be done by candidates holding a baccalaureate or a B.Voc degree. Candidates who complete the course in 1 year also are awarded a PG Diploma. The course fees range from INR 5,500-55,000. PG Diploma usually helps a candidate to concentrate on a really specific skill.

Is a vocational certificate online?

Vocational Certificate Courses. Certificate Vocational courses are available both online and offline. Here are the precise details of the certificate vocational courses that one must see before pursuing the course. Vocational Certificate Courses are usually available in offline mode which are 6-month long programs.

What is vocational school?

Merriam Webster defines vocational school as “a school in which people learn how to do a job that requires special skills.” [1] While important concepts may be taught the focus is less on theory and more on practice. Vocational schools offer realistic, practical, relevant skills training.

Why are vocational schools different from four year colleges?

Vocational schools are different from typical four-year colleges because the programs are less academic and more job-focused. The goal of a vocational school is to equip students with the skills they need to enter the workforce of their choosing.

What is special skills in vocational school?

Vocational schools offer realistic, practical, relevant skills training. “Special skills” means that not everyone can do the job. For example, a high school student wanting to be a nurse cannot just start drawing blood and doing a nurse’s job if they have no prior experience or training.

Why do people go to vocational school?

One of the main reasons people may choose to enroll in vocational school is because they can foresee themselves enjoying a long and prosperous career, and want to start earning a salary quickly.

What does vocation mean in a job?

A vocation can be another word for “occupation,” which essentially means a job, or type of work. But vocation can also mean “a summons or strong inclination to a particular state or course of action.”. [2] Some people are drawn to enter certain fields, such as nursing or cosmetology.

How long does a vocational school last?

Many entry-level training programs offer a course of study that can be complete in under a year. Some advanced programs may last two years, but rarely do vocational classes last longer than that.

What is your career goal?

have a career goal in mind and want to start working as soon as possible. want to learn the skills needed to land the job they want. want to be a competitive job applicant. want to enter growing and in-demand fields. want to increase their earning potential. don’t want to waste time or energy on “extracurricular” credits or activities.

What is vocational class?

What Are Vocational Classes? Vocational classes teach students a skill or trade by using a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on training. For those not interested in obtaining a college degree, vocational classes can be useful in developing skills that can translate into a rewarding career.

How long are vocational classes?

These classes are typically held at night or on weekends. The length of many of these programs varies, ranging from a few weeks to a year or two.

What are the classes in high school?

Many traditional high schools offer vocational classes such as wood shop, metal shop, auto shop, typing and home economics. These types of classes can prepare young students for a future in carpentry, mechanics, or machining. Some vocational technical high schools devote part of the day to classroom instruction in traditional studies and the rest of the day to vocational classes.

What is vocational degree?

Vocational degrees are academic certificates awarded to students who have completed degree requirements for a specific trade or career. Completing a vocational degree program typically takes less time than a traditional undergraduate program, though this time varies by state. Because careers and business needs evolve, ...

Why are vocational degrees so popular?

Vocational degrees are popular because they typically require less time to complete than a traditional degree program (e.g., associate or bachelor's degree), and upon completion, the student is often ready to begin working the trade.

Can you get a bachelor's degree in vocational school?

Understanding Vocational Degrees. Sometimes it is possible to get a bachelor's degree in a program that is also offered as a vocational degree, but not all vocational degrees can be obtained through a traditional four-year college.

Is nursing a vocational degree?

The parameters for what qualifies as a vocational degree may vary by state. Two years of nursing education in California, for instance, is quantified as a vocational or technical degree, but in other states, that same curriculum might be recorded as non-vocational. The length of the curriculum for vocational degrees can vary drastically ...

What is vocational school?

Vocational school sometimes referred to as trade school, technical school, vocational college or career center is a type of school/college which offers mainly educational programs which are set to give you a specific profession needed in the job market.

What is vocational training?

Vocational Training is also known as career and technical education (CTE) or technical and vocational education and training (TVET) Education helps us acquire and facilitate: knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and habits with or without the help of an educator. Learn at home, at your own pace.

What is a CTE program in high school?

High school CTE programs normally include academic study as well as a wide range of courses and work experience programs, designed to introduce students to different trades . High schools, as well as separate vocational training centers, offer these types of courses and there are part-time courses for students as well.

What countries offer vocational training?

Vocational Training in Different Countries 1 Vocational Training in Australia 2 Vocational Training in Jamaica 3 Vocational Training in Germany 4 Vocational Training in Australia 5 vocational training in Singapore 6 Vocational Training in Ghana 7 vocational training in Bangladesh 8 vocational training in Japan 9 vocational training in Sri Lanka 10 Vocational Training in Thailand 11 vocational training in Nigeria 12 vocational training in Brazil 13 Vocational Training in Canada 14 vocational training in Finland 15 vocational training in Hong Kong 16 vocational training in Hungary 17 Vocational Training in India 18 vocational training in South Korea 19 vocational training in Malaysia 20 vocational training in Mexico 21 vocational training in the Netherlands 22 vocational training in New Zealand 23 vocational training in Norway 24 vocational training in Paraguay 25 vocational training in Russia 26 vocational training in Sweden 27 vocational training in Switzerland 28 vocational training in Turkey 29 vocational training in the United Kingdom 30 Vocational Training in the United States

What are the different types of vocational schools?

Vocational training programs can be classified into different categories and they include certifications, Diploma programs, and associate degree programs as well.

What is the benefit of education?

Education carries a significant benefit in one’s life, it’s normally the doorway to greatness,it assures you to gain knowledge and awareness in which you can use to earn money and credibility. Article Table of Contents [ show] 1 What Is Vocational Training. 2 The connecting link between theory and practical application.

Where are vocational workers needed?

Vocational workers are in high demand and are needed with high priority in countries like Canada, the United States of America and Australia.

What is vocational education?

The 1990 Perkins Act defines vocational education as "organized educational programs offering a sequence of courses which are directly related to the preparation of individuals in paid or unpaid employment in current or emerging occupations requiring other than a baccalaureate or advanced degree.". (2) While vocational education is provided ...

What are secondary vocational courses?

In addition to this occupationally specific curriculum, some secondary vocational courses provide general labor market preparation, teaching general employment skills -- such as introductory typing or wordprocessing, industrial arts, career education, and applied academic skills--rather than preparing students for paid employment in a specific occupation. Finally, consumer and homemaking education courses, unlike occupational home economics courses, prepare students for unpaid employment in the home. While this publication provides information on all three types of secondary vocational courses, it focuses primarily on the occupationally specific curriculum.

What percentage of 1992 high school graduates did not take a single occupational course above the introductory level?

In fact, 20 percent of 1992 high school graduates who earned 8 or more vocational credits and about 25 percent of those who earned 4 or more occupationally specific credits did not take a single occupational course above the introductory level (table 25).

How many people in the US had a postsecondary degree in 1990?

Among the general population, only about one in five adults aged 18-34 in the summer of 1990 had completed a postsecondary degree or certificate, and about one-fourth of those completers earned their highest postsecondary award in a vocational field (table 109).

What are the three types of vocational education?

Secondary vocational courses can be classified into three types: (1) consumer and homemaking education; (2) general labor market preparation; and (3) specific labor market preparation (figure 1). (3) Specific labor market preparation courses ...

What is a coherent sequence of courses?

The federal regulations associated with the 1990 Perkins Act defined a coherent sequence of courses as "a series of courses in which vocational and academic education are integrated, and which directly relates to, and leads to, both academic and occupational competencies. (11) However, federal datasets rely largely on analyses ...

What classes did high school graduates earn in 1992?

For example, as 1992 public high school graduates earned increasing numbers of credits in vocational education, they also earned more credits in remedial English, in math at levels lower than Algebra 1, and in survey science courses (tables 43, 45, and 47).

What is vocational training?

Sometimes called Vocational Education and Training or Career and Technical Education, vocational training provides hand-on, job-specific instruction, and can lead to certification, a diploma or even an associate's degree. Students typically require vocational training to prepare for trades including, but not limited to:

What are the different types of vocational training?

Here are some different resources for receiving vocational training: High School CTE programs. Tech prep education . Postsecondary vocational school.

What is a postsecondary vocational school?

Sometimes referred to as trade schools, postsecondary vocational schools are another viable option for individuals considering attending a community or four-year college.

What is an apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships typically combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Because some apprenticeships include classroom courses, they can result in a certification or degree. A major benefit of this type of training is the fact that it is an educational program in which the student is paid.

How long does it take to become an HVAC technician?

Aside from a high school diploma, HVAC technicians are usually required to complete two years of specialized education. This time typically includes an apprenticeship that provides valuable on-the-job training. 2.

What is a CTE program?

CTE programs are designed for high school students hoping to gain work experience in a variety of trades, as well as continue their academic studies. This type of vocational training is often offered as part of a high school curriculum, but students can also attend separate vocational training centers. ...

What is on the job training?

Most on-the-job training is either done through an employer or a third-party training provider sourced by the employer. It's common for companies to provide employees with job-specific training as well as training in general employment skills, such as human resources training, training on how to work well in a team or computer skills training. These skills can prove valuable in an employee's current position, as well as in any future employment opportunities.

What is vocational school?

Updated June 17, 2020. A vocational school is one that prepares a student for a specific type of job. In other words, a vocational education provides the skills needed for a career in a particular trade or craft.

What are the jobs that can be done with vocational education?

Healthcare is a field with high demand, and vocational education can lead to careers such as. Nursing aides. Medical technicians.

How old do you have to be to go to vocational school?

Often, to be admitted a student need only be 16 or 17 years old and have completed high school or earned a GED.

Why do students take evening classes?

Evening and weekend classes are common so that students can balance their classwork with jobs and family commitments. Classes tend to be small, and most have a significant hands-on component, since students are learning trade skills that require specialized tools and equipment.

Is a vocational school a for profit school?

A vocational school might be a private, for-profit institution or it could be run through a state-funded community college. The latter will typically have lower costs. Many vocational programs are designed with working people in mind.

Do you need a four year degree to get a job?

Many jobs, however, do not require a four-year college degree or graduate degree. A vocational education increases a student's employability and earning potential. Vocational school is also highly efficient—rather than a four-year commitment, a one-year certificate program or two-year associate's degree will provide the necessary training.

Does vocational school have limitations?

Vocational school does, however, have some limitations. For one, you'll be training for a specific job, and that type of focused, specialized training can limit job mobility.

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