Do you prefer practical study at the expense of theoretical subjects? Do you tend to learn crafts that rely on skill and creativity? So, a vocational education is the right choice.
People have always maintained a stereotype which limits vocational education to simple trades such as blacksmithing, carpentry, masonry, etc .; However, it is much broader than that, and includes many creative fields and vital disciplines that are the mainstay of our lives at the present time.
So, what is vocational education? What are its fields and advantages of studying in it? This is what we will try to know through this article.
What is a vocational education?
Vocational education is education that prepares students to work in a certain profession, craft, or as a specialized technician, and it may sometimes be known as vocational training. Vocational education is not limited to a specific field, but rather branches into a large number of sectors and specialties such as crafts such as carpentry, printing and construction, in addition to many specialized fields such as design and engineering, accounting, nursing, or some medical specialties, architecture, or law. Without neglecting the many craft professions that focus on professional education, such as jewelry design and manufacture, or metalwork based on various metals such as silver and copper.
You can enroll in vocational education at the secondary or post-secondary level, or during the higher education stage. Vocational education is often provided through specialized trade schools, technical schools, universities, institutes of technology or polytechnics. You can read the UNESCO report that focused on the field of vocational education and its various dimensions.
As previously mentioned, there are many fields and specialties of vocational education offered by the various specialized educational institutions, however we will try in the following to shed light on some of the vital areas that you can specialize in if you choose education or vocational training as a system of your studies.
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1- The automotive industry
The automotive industry is one of the vocational majors that students can attend
From autonomous vehicles to alternative fuel sources, the automotive sector is undergoing rapid developments with many technological additions constantly evolving. That is why there are many practical courses related to the auto industry, such as: automobile performance, heavy car industries, and light cars. Students interested in vocational education fields can enroll in one of the educational courses that will qualify them to enter the labor market in the auto industry.
2- Building and construction
There are many professions related to the field of construction and construction, and many other fields and industries such as: design, engineering, carpentry, electricity… not neglecting the fact that it is one of the most available and available fields in the framework of job opportunities in the world.
Thus you can choose one of the fields associated with this broad sector, where you will learn how to create, install, finish and repair structures and fixtures for residential, commercial and industrial units, in addition to building design and interior design courses, or you may learn a complete craft related to carpentry in terms of designing and implementing the various stages associated with this craft, and the matter is Itself is related to electricity and many other areas in which you can specialize through vocational education.
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3- Cooking and hospitality
If you are interested in cooking and want to learn more about the cuisine of the world, this study will be your way to join the finest restaurants around the world, or establish your own restaurant. Here you can study cooking courses that branch off into bakery, pastries and general cooking, and each of these programs prepares students to become professional chefs with the skills and knowledge to prepare and serve food with the latest standards.
You can also study the field of hospitality and hospitality, which will enable you to engage in one of the vital sectors, which is the field of tourism, and thus you will be able to obtain many jobs in this field, such as administrative and organizational positions in hotels, clubs and restaurants.
4- Technology, information and networks
A picture of some electronic code, where students will learn information technology while studying in vocational education or vocational training
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The technological field is not absent from the fields of professional education; Where you can join one of the study programs specialized in technology, informatics, or various communication networks. Such as studying information technology networks, developing programs and websites, in addition to cybersecurity courses, which have become vital areas due to their current importance, which is to protect organizations from all sectors from digital attacks, or piracy operations that may be exposed to them.
These various courses will enable you to possess the professional capabilities that give you the ability to meet the requirements of the various job opportunities that have become an integral part in all sectors that use or benefit from the possibility of electronic presence on the Internet.
Vocational education or university education? Advantages to help you choose
There are many students who tend to pursue some areas of vocational education, but they make comparisons between vocational education on the one hand and university education on the other hand, which may prevent them from studying their field of interest and thus lose an opportunity for distinction that may not be compensated. In this section, we will try to briefly address some of the advantages of vocational education, which may give you an overview of the strengths of this type of education.
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1- The cost of vocational education is low compared to university education
TVET institutions are known to be less expensive than attending a college or university. This fact is due to many factors, including the small number of years of vocational education compared to university education, as vocational training programs can be completed within two years or less, which reduces the total cost significantly.
In addition to the possibility of working during the study, which is the idea that is necessary to implement what has been studied in addition to better contact with the labor market. Not forgetting that many vocational education programs are designed and scheduled to suit the possibility of working during their studies, which enables you to gain experience and money together at the same time.
2- Specialized programs. a winning card in the field of vocational education
One of the most important advantages of study programs in the vocational education system is that they rely on specialized and focused programs. In view of the period of time specified in these programs, work is carried out according to very focused methodologies. This is why you often find vocational programs focus only on practical skills that are used in a practical context.
This practical nature is not limited to one program without another, but includes various study programs in the vocational education system, starting with carpentry, cosmetology, welding, logistics and culinary arts, to electricity, electronics, design, medical and legal studies …
3- Practical experience that is offered to you while studying in vocational education
One advantage of vocational education is that instructors are often specialists in the industry or field in which they are teaching. This gives you the opportunity to learn from a professional experienced in this field, and gives you a practical insight into what it takes to succeed in this field specifically.
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In addition to the above, most vocational education programs include external training that allows learners to work in their field of study to have an opportunity to apply what they have studied in addition to exposure to the labor market. This experience is considered one of the most important experiences that you may experience at the beginning of your career, as you practice what you have studied, and thus get to know your strengths and weaknesses so that you can work on them and improve them later.
You can also benefit from training periods while studying in establishing many professional relationships with a large number of specialists in your field of study, and thus learn from their experiences and benefit from their advice, in addition to that you can benefit from these relationships to get the best job opportunities after your graduation.
Hence, training periods while studying in vocational education are a very important opportunity that you should take advantage of and exploit to the fullest, in order to ensure that you accumulate experience that will help you in your professional career after graduation.
4- Flexible study schedules
TVET programs are usually designed to assist non-traditional students who want to go to school while carrying out other responsibilities. That is why you may find many options related to study times, such as evening appointments, and weekend appointments, which you will not find in traditional university education. Plus, you can learn online and thus be able to develop a new professional experience while working full time.
5- Professional education in a practical environment .. Say goodbye to the boredom of lectures
Flexibility of the study environment in vocational education, which means benefiting from all experiences.
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If you are bored of long academic lectures; Vocational education is your alternative. In coursework education programs, classrooms are usually smaller, enabling teachers to provide practical guidance in a comprehensive manner in a smaller environment. This ensures that all students receive the subjects of study, and reflects their ability to implement them later. This gives you a better opportunity to learn practically and communicate with your teachers if you encounter any problems.
6- The speed of joining the labor market
Another advantage of vocational education is that students can complete their training in a short period of time, and then enter permanent jobs. The duration of the study programs associated with the vocational education system varies, but most of them can be completed in two years or less, giving graduates a unique opportunity to join the labor market sooner without spending more years studying.
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Not to lose sight of the many students who start their internships very early during their studies, which helps them to get job opportunities faster. Hence, vocational education is your way to start earning money in a short time.
- Vocational education is your way to high-paying jobs
Of course, wages vary according to the type and field of the job, but due to the availability of job opportunities in various fields of vocational education, and according to the creative nature that may be characterized by some jobs, which gives you an opportunity to excel, which is reflected in the wage rates, in addition to, of course, the experience factor that He is credited with setting the minimum and maximum salaries.
Not only that; You can even establish your own project in your field of specialization, which is mainly due to your experience and mastery. It will also be at the same time an important shift in your career and put you in the ranks of many designers and businessmen who made their way from the beginning.
A vocational education .. Joined the best institutions around the world
After we got acquainted with the areas and advantages of enrolling in education or vocational training, we must get acquainted with the best educational institutions around the world that provide the latest study experiences in the vocational education sector, and we mention here, for example:
1- Pittsburgh Institute Of Aeronautics
2- North Central Kansas Technical College
3- State Technical College of Missouri
4- Lake Area Technical Institute
5- Lancaster County Career and Technology Center
6- Australian Industry Trade College
You can see Forbes Magazine’s list of the 25 best institutions specializing in vocational education, and you can also view the best educational systems around the world that offer professional education programs at the latest level from here