Less than a fifth of high school graduates enter vocational programs. One reason for low enrollment is that four-year colleges are considered the ideal path toward employment. Vocational programs and trade schools may be better suited to prepare people for the job market. Encouraging students to participate in vocational programs during and after high school is great for the US labor market. Here are five ways vocational programs support the economy:
1. Vocational Training Increases Employability
Although there are more college-educated candidates than ever, many companies are having difficulty finding qualified employees. Without job experience, new graduates struggle to qualify for entry-level positions. While internships are available to undergraduates, they can be economically impracticable for many different reasons. This means that thousands of students leave college without formal work experience.
Vocational training programs incorporate work-study opportunities into their curricula. This gives participants the professional experience they need to succeed in the workplace. Some vocational training programs even place students in positions that can transition into permanent, full-time employment after completion.
Vocational schools also close the skills gap that prevents employers from finding people. The skills gap refers to the difference between what companies seek and the skills candidates possess. One reason for the skills gap is that college degrees according to student interest rather than industry demand. This produces an overabundance of graduates with backgrounds and experiences that do not match the nation’s job outlooks and projections.
By training students in areas that are in demand, vocational programs give their graduates a better chance at securing work related to their learning.
2. Vocational Training Increases Economic Output
Employers are not the only ones interested in vocational education. Economists have also studied how vocational training programs influence the wider economy. Vocational schools teach specific skills that translate into paid employment. Having a well-trained workforce has a positive effect on productivity. This means that the economy is producing more, and therefore generating greater wealth.
Vocational programs can indirectly affect spending economy wide. Vocational training can upskill or reskill people, thereby increasing their spending power. A highly trained workforce can command higher wages, which benefits the economy. Since more individuals are participating in the workforce and paying taxes, the federal government can fully fund benefits programs.
3. Vocational Training Focuses on Critical Workforce Needs
Every industry is dynamic. No academic or vocational program will provide students with skills that are permanently in demand. By the time any student completes a degree, specific knowledge and experience will be outdated. A degree is better thought of as proof that people have learned how to learn then it is a guarantee they possess specific hard skills. However, many students do not find this out until after they have graduated or left college or university.
Vocational programs are more responsive to the needs of the private sector and more likely to change with the industry. Once specific skills, programs, and practices are no longer needed in the job market, vocational programs adapt their offerings to match demand more quickly than colleges do. Participants gain real-world work experiences using up-to-date equipment, technologies, and methods. This gives graduates the opportunity to develop the skills the market demands.
4. Vocational Training Increases People’s Earning Potential
Vocational schools are an effective way for people with high school diplomas to increase their earning potential. The average high school diploma holder earns a little over $40,000 per year. Earning a vocational certificate can increase that amount significantly. The highest-paid vocational certificate jobs include HVAC installer ($53,000), licensed practical nurse ($51,000), and commercial truck driver ($52,000).
5. Vocational Training Offers Clear Career Pathways
Career progression is important to a healthy labor market. When people have career trajectories that are personally and financially rewarding, they remain engaged in the market. Vocational training programs are designed to place students on career ladders that they can climb with experience and additional credentials. For example, many trades follow the apprenticeship model in which incoming workers learn under more experienced individuals.
After the apprenticeship period ends, newcomers can expect a pay raise and training for other roles or the opportunity to work independently. Healthcare and early educator programs also offer pathways for certificate holders. With additional training and experience, certified nursing assistants can become licensed practical nurses and earn 50 percent more, on average.
Conclusion
Vocational education is an ideal option for students seeking a soft launch into the workforce. The US labor market also benefits from the increase of skilled, specialized labor, especially industries experiencing worker shortages.