Occupational & Vocational Training

Vocational Training / Occupational Training

"Each man has his own vocation; his talent is his call. There is one direction in which all space is open to him."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

According to the Office of Vocational and Adult Education:

"Career and technical education, commonly known as vocational education, is a massive enterprise in the U.S. Thousands of comprehensive high schools, vocational and technical high schools, area vocational centers, and community colleges offer vocational education programs.

Virtually every high school student takes at least one vocational education course, and one in four students takes three or more courses in a single program area. One-third of college students are involved in vocational programs, and as many as 40 million adults engage in short-term postsecondary occupational training.

Today, eighty-five years after the passage of the first piece of federal vocational education legislation, vocational education is evolving from its original focus on preparing students for work immediately following high school. With national and state school reform efforts focused on academic achievement, and with the fastest-growing occupations now requiring some postsecondary education, vocational education is seeking effective ways to contribute to these goals."

Choosing a New Career
Let's examine why you are choosing to train for a new vocational career:

• You are about to finish high school and wish training to enter the work force quickly.
• You have just become an 'empty nester' and need new skills to find a job.
• You have just retired and are interested in doing some part-time work, even if on a volunteer basis.
• You have a part-time job and need another to supplement your income.
• You would like to have a home-based business.

Each of the above is a very different scenario. No matter why you are choosing to train for a new career, you should examine a number of factors when choosing a career path:

• What would you be most interested in doing? Is this a choice based on emotion? Do you an aptitude for this field of work? Click here for career assessment and aptitude testing resources
• What are the salary expectations? Can you manage your budget on this income?
• What is the job market like in your area? Have you approached potential employers to determine if your training will be marketable?
• Is the job really how you imagine it to be? Have you interviewed someone currently employed in the career?

Training for a New Career
When you investigate a vocational training program, consider the following points when choosing which school will provide your education:

• The program should be state accredited. Click here for more information about accreditation.
• Speak with admissions counsellors to determine the flexibility of the programs offered. For example, can you study a wide range of courses in your first years and then create a major and a minor in your last years?
• What works best for you? Taking a program and then transferring to a college or university? Or would you prefer to take the entire program at the same school?
• Does the school offer career services that include job placement, a resume service, job fairs and networking opportunities? Is there a fee connected with the career services offered? What is the placement rate for graduates of the program?
• Are you able to attend school full-time or part-time? Evenings or weekends only? Have you considered online or distance learning. Click here for more information on online learning.
• What is the cost of the education required? Will you require financial aid? Could you qualify for a scholarship? Are loans or grants available to you? Click here for more information about financial aid.

No matter what piques your interest, there are many options when choosing your vocation. Visit the links on the left navigation bar to review current career information and learn more about the nature of the jobs that interest you, such as salary expectations, working conditions, future outlook of the profession, employment rates and educational requirements.

• Get Started: Browse the career path categories listed to your left for further education and information resources.