Career Education and Vocational School Benefits
Technical Schools Provide Diverse Career Opportunities for Adults
Aug 10, 2008
Adults who earned a high school degree, however had difficulties or were not very successful, have another opportunity. Career education through vocational and technical schools provides enrollees with diverse opportunities to learn a skill or trade. There are many well paid career fields in which a college degree is not required.
Contrary to popular myth, that without a college degree you have no future, there is plenty of opportunity for those not destined for college. Success in life is not dependent on earning a four year college degree.
The benefits of vocational schools include their alternative to college programs, along with the ability to obtain a career that leads to a successful life. Some of the highest paid people today are in the trades, healthcare, and computer industry just to point out a few examples. For these examples a college degree is not required.
Vocational and Technical School Benefits
Typically vocational and technical schools are designed for those who need or like to work with their hands or prefer work skills that require active engagement. These same people do not like to sit behind a desk and enjoy jobs which have changing experiences. The following are examples of other benefits by the ERIC Clearinghouse of Vocational Education, which include:
- Higher hourly wages compared with those who have only a high school degree
- Actively engaged in problem solving in the working environment
- Hands-on work activities that allow application of knowledge
- Employment opportunities which involve the outdoors
- Leading to employment opportunities which offer greater responsibilities
- Learning new work skills to meet requirements in an ever changing work place
- Learning new skills for changing careers
- Typical 97% employment rate after graduation, with over 80% in the field of their certificate (U.S. Department of Education, 2006)
- Increased job skill transfer ability
- Increased job stability
- The ability to transfer to a four year college for a Bachelors Degree, if desired
- The ability to earn a two year Associates Degree, if desired
Distance Learning Vocational Programs
Many programs offered by vocational and technical schools are offered through distance learning. This allows adult students to complete a program when it is more convenient for them due to the work schedule, life commitments, or distance to school. Examples of vocational and technical school programs offered through distance learning include:
- Computers – computer technician, web designer, website developer, network administrator, information technology, and more
- Business – buying and selling, travel and tourism, library assistants, recreation careers, and more
- Heating Air Conditioning and Plumbing – installers, repair mechanics, building inspectors, and more
- Nursing – medical assistants, dental assistants, pharmacy technicians, physical therapists, and more
- Culinary – chefs, Sous chefs, line cooks, and food preparation workers
- Landscape Design – principals of design, irrigation systems, horticulture, and more
- Telecommunications – electronics repair, communication systems, power line technicians, and more
These are samples of the vocational and technical education programs that are available through distance learning. These programs and more are also offered through traditional classroom settings for those who do not want to complete distance learning programs.
The benefits of completing vocational and technical education programs are excellent for those who want to seek continuing education and increase their job skills. With the ever changing job market and the need for additional education, vocational and technical education provides opportunities for those who do want to attend a 4 year college.
An additional resource is 10 Tips for Adults Who are Going Back to School and want to learn strategies for success. Another resource is Distance Learning: Online Education for Adults for those who wonder if distance learning is for them.
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