Undergoing some type of post-secondary education can significantly improve long-term employment outcomes and income potential. High school graduates who further their studies can realize a lifetime earnings increase of more than $300,000 or more. However, attending a traditional university doesn’t guarantee gainful employment.
For some majors, an average of 1 out 10 degree holders do not find a job after graduating. Many other graduates end up underemployed in positions that could be obtained without a degree. At the same time, attending college is expensive and can leave students tens of thousands of dollars in debt.
Vocational education is an ideal path for high school students who want the advantage of expanding their career prospects without incurring unmanageable debt. Furthermore, the length and structure of vocational courses make it easier for graduates to enter and succeed in the workforce.
Vocational Education and the Changing Job Market Landscape
One of the reasons why traditional colleges do not adequately prepare graduates for the workforce is the changing job market. The university model focuses on broad, interdisciplinary skills. While there are benefits to this, the curriculum may place more importance on theory rather than practical and technical skills.
As technology advances, employers are seeking workers with a different set of skills than in previous decades. “21st-century skills” is a commonly used phrase to describe what today’s employers are looking for. These skills are a blend of interpersonal and specialized skills that enable people to do well in the modern workforce.
Vocational programs are designed around the concept of 21st-century skills and deliver curriculum in a hands-on, industry-focused manner that equips students for work in high-demand fields.
How Vocational Education Bridges the Skills Gap
In traditional education, the overemphasis on theory and the disconnection between universities and employers have contributed to a phenomenon known as the skills gap.
Many employers are finding that their entry-level hires do not have the skills or knowledge needed to succeed on the job. Employers are also having a difficult time filling positions due to a lack of qualified candidates.
Vocational education programs address the skills gap by working with employers to create their programs. This way, graduates learn the exact skills they need to bring value to the workplace from day one. As skills such as problem-solving, communication, and teamwork are also in demand, vocational education programs also put a heavy emphasis on soft skills training.
The vocational training model is so successful that some companies have partnered with massive online course platforms, such as Coursera and edX to develop certification programs in technology, communications, and marketing.
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Direct work experience correlates with higher post-graduation employment rates. However, few traditional colleges incorporate work-based learning into their degree programs.
Instead, college students must find internships, which can be competitive. Many are also unpaid, which makes them unfeasible for the majority. Vocational training programs interweave work-based learning into the curriculum. Students can choose from internships, apprenticeships, and co-op education programs to gain real-world experience.
Vocational education programs partner with the private sector to offer these work experiences. In exchange, these businesses have access to a pool of skilled people who are familiar with their systems and work environments.
Collaboration with Industry Partners
Traditional universities develop their curriculums based on regulations and input from staff, who are mainly academics. The lack of industry input can result in degree programs that do not prepare students for the workforce.
Vocational training programs prioritize their relationships with industry partners to create and manage their programs. This makes vocational programs much more responsive to the conditions of the work market. For example, vocational programs may reduce or eliminate courses when employer demand for those skills goes down and ramp up programs to close reported skills shortages. In contrast, universities may continue to accept and enroll students in degree programs, even if the market is saturated.
Students in vocational programs also benefit from close relationships with businesses, as they can build connections within the workforce before they graduate. Many students find their first full-time position through their work-based learning program.
Career Pathways and Credentialing
Like traditional education, vocational programs offer pathways to a wide range of careers. There are vocational programs for manual jobs, such as construction, carpentry, and mechanics.
Today, students can also find training and certification programs for office-based work, including information technology, cybersecurity, digital marketing, and digital arts.
A vocational program can also jump-start a career in healthcare, education, and service industries such as cosmetology and culinary arts.
Conclusion
The traditional path of entering college or a university after high school no longer guarantees entry into lucrative employment. In the face of high debt and possibly few employment opportunities, high school students are opening up to other post-secondary options.
Vocational education programs can offer career opportunities and income increases without the high price tag of a college degree. While certificate holders may earn less than degree holders, there are many cases where vocational training graduates earn far more. Furthermore, vocational training graduates enter the workforce earlier and gain invaluable real-world experience.