Vocational courses are instructional programs or courses that focus on the skills required for a particular job function or trade. They are designed to prepare individuals for a skilled craft as an artisan, trade as a tradesperson, or work as a technician. Vocational courses teach students a skill or trade by using a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on training. They are focused on practical work, preparing students for a particular trade or skilled profession. Vocational courses are specifically designed to equip students with the skills needed to enter the working world.
Vocational courses can take place at the post-secondary, further education, or higher education level and can interact with the apprenticeship system. At the post-secondary level, vocational education is often provided by highly specialized trade schools, technical schools, community colleges, colleges of further education (UK), vocational universities, and institutes of technology.
Vocational courses are best for students who have a good idea of their career path and want to gain the knowledge to get there. They are usually cheaper than a university education, but the median salary of university graduates is generally higher. Vocational training can provide very stable career growth without a lot of debt and is a great choice if you are interested in certain professions.
Examples of vocational courses include:
- CNC machinist
- Machinist
- Computer-aided design (CAD) drafter
- Pharmacy technician
- Radiologic technologist
In the US, public high school graduates are identified as vocational "concentrators" if they earned 3 or more credits in a single occupational program. Vocational education at the secondary level can be classified into three types: consumer and homemaking education, general labor market preparation, and specific labor market preparation. Specific labor market preparation courses teach students the skills needed to enter a particular occupational field.
In summary, vocational courses are instructional programs or courses that focus on the skills required for a particular job function or trade. They are designed to prepare individuals for a skilled craft, trade, or work as a technician. Vocational courses teach students a skill or trade by using a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on training. They are focused on practical work, preparing students for a particular trade or skilled profession.
