THE IMPORTANCE OF VOCATION EDUCATION

Dru Macasieb

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION DEFINED

• Vocational education aka vocational education and training (VET) is education that prepares people for specific trades, crafts and careers

THE MOST COMMON OCCUPATIONAL PROGRAMS

Business, heath care, and computer science were among the most common occupational programs. Specifically, business and computer technology were the most common occupational

programs offered by public high schools in 2002 (US Department of education, 2008)

FACTS ABOUT VOCATIONAL EDUCATION

• The more occupational credits that male graduates of the class of 1992 earned in high school, the more often they worked full time in 2000

• the more occupational credits that male graduates earned in high school, the higher their part-time earnings were in 1999.

• Those who completed certificates in career fields were more often employed compared with those who attempted but did not complete career certificates

• Overall, about 5,700 postsecondary institutions—90 percent of all Title IV eligible postsecondary institutions nationwide—offered career education in 2005

FOUR REASONS WHY CAREER SPECIFIC TRAINING

MAKES YOU THE BEST HIRE

1. More practical skills than the average grad

2. Need less on the job training

3. You have career specific experiences

4. Equipped to advance

MORE PRACTICAL SKILLS THAN THE AVERAGE GRAD

Vocational, trade, and certificate schools prepare you for an actual career

YOU NEED LESS ON-THE-JOB TRAINING

Because you already have the job-specific training, you’ll cost the company less money and you’ll be prepared to impress them instantly

YOU HAVE CAREER-SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE

Experience and training with career-specific skills ensure you’re more prepared than the rest.

YOU’RE EQUIPPED TO ADVANCE

SHOULD VOCATIONAL/TECHNICAL EDUCATION BE INCLUDED IN THE HIGH SCHOOL

CURRICULUM AND TO WHAT EXTENT?  

• Yes it should be.

• Schools need to graduate students that are self-sufficient and independent.

• Vocational training helps with this; as students will be more employable because they’ll gain experience

WHAT SHOULD OUR DISTRICT DO?

• Make it a requirement for students to take vocational courses before graduation

• We need to prepare them for the employability not just for academic intelligence and skills