We often hear about taking up vocational courses or vocational studies after 10th or later!
Most of us, do not actually know what vocational courses are. We do not know what their scope, opportunities is and why one should pursue them. This is an attempt to explain what vocational courses are and why one should consider them.
What Vocational Courses Are?
Vocational courses or vocational studies refer to those courses which help in developing certain skills. These are generally non-academic in nature and are related to a trade or occupation. These are usually application-based studies and theoretical lessons are not given much importance. Thus, vocational courses are in addition to your regular studies.
TIP:
Vocational courses often include programs that are completed quite quickly. Individuals can earn a certificate in some weeks. If it is a technology diploma or if it is an associate degree, it can be completed in just two years or even less.
Vocational Studies and Courses Examples:
- Plumbing
- Horticulture
- Jewelry Designing
- Car Mechanic or Bike Repair Course
- Beautician and Makeup
- Hair Styling
- Baking and Cooking
- Food Technology
- Web Designing
- Graphic Designing
- Cloud Computing – Read Basics of Cloud Computing
- Child Development
- Personal Trainer
- Nail Technician
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Woodwork
- Gardening
Is there any difference between Regular Courses and Vocational courses?
Technical schools or qualifications help in learning theory & science because courses are designed that way. These are related to specific professions and therefore help in enhancing the skills.
Vocational courses provide a hands-on approach and help in learning different skills that are necessary to complete a job successfully.
What are vocational Skills?
These are the skills that are related to specific occupations and can be gained with some basic training.
Vocational skills are required for occupations like hair styling, makeup, beauty, and hair styling. These also include sewing, medical technicians, truck drivers, and also electricians.
Top 5 Vocational Courses in India?
These include courses in –
- Animation
- Web Designing
- Baking and Cooking
- Catering Management
- Marketing
Vocational Subjects To Study?
There are different vocational subjects which students can choose to study. These include:
- Dairy – Milk products and Milk
- Electronics Technology – Learning electronic circuits and devices
- X-Ray Technical
- Medical Lab Technology and equipment
The qualification an individual gains after the completion of vocational education depends on the subjects chosen. Thus, whenever a subject is chosen it needs to be ensured that the subject is something which the student wants to pursue a career in.
What Do you get after a Vocational course? Will I get a certificate or degree to show?
Students get a vocational certificate after completion of the course, which states the skills learned, duration of the course, and the ability of students. Thus, you will always get a certificate after you complete your course.
What is Vocational Education?
Vocational education is one that helps people prepare for work like that as a technician. It can be about taking up employment as an artisan, a tradesperson, or a skilled craft. Therefore, it is also known as technical education or career.
What is a vocational Degree?
A vocational degree refers to any academic certificate which is given to students who have successfully completed degree requirements specific to any career or trade.
Technical Vocational Course – Examples That You Should Know
Those who are looking forward to continuing vocational courses in certain areas should consider the following subject areas:
- Business – Entrepreneurship and Office Administration because any business will require these skills
- Trade – Carpenter, Plumber, Automotive Technician, and other trades that need knowledge
- Health Occupations – Medical Technicians, Nursing, Dental
- Agriculture – Food Science because it is one of the most promising career options today
Benefits of Vocational Education:
Any kind of education never goes to waste. Vocational education prepares individuals in several ways. At times having a degree or qualification is not enough and one needs to have skills for employment. Freshers with vocational education certificates find easy employment opportunities because employees understand that they have the skills.
- Prepares for the job because of training and internship
- Helps in upgrading new skills
- Makes studies enjoyable for students.
- Helps in increasing productivity because of improved efficiency
- Improves interactive skills
- Motivates and helps in thinking out of the box
Which vocational courses are best?
Though there are many kinds of vocational courses for students by institutes and colleges, here is a list of some of the top courses, which offer great value to students.
- Physical education and Gym because fitness freaks love fitness
- Public Speaking because it involves the ability to speak in front of a large number of people
- Disaster Management
- Animation Course because it involves knowledge of graphics
- Marketing and advertisement because it is one of the most in-demand professions
Are Vocational Courses Good? Are they helpful?
Yes, these courses are very helpful because they are career-specific in nature.
They help students learn subjects in the field they have an interest in. It is not about spending time on classes that will not be going to help the students in the future. It is about saving energy and time while ensuring that the interest of the students is in mind. Thus, for all students these courses help, no matter what they choose to study.
So, go ahead with any vocational course you wish to but choose a course which will help you in future. Because these courses are meant to give a push to your career, you need to choose them carefully.