One of the main reasons that people pursue higher education is to receive career training that will help them get a job after graduating. For many, this means getting a traditional college degree, such as a bachelor’s.
A growing number of individuals, however, are choosing to pursue vocational education. According to a 2023 survey by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, nearly 70% of high school students reported perceiving vocational school as having either excellent or good value.
Vocational programs are specifically designed to train students for particular professions or trades, enabling them to land a job soon after graduating. They can also be beneficial for those who already have jobs and want to enhance their skill sets, so they can advance their careers.
Learning about vocational program options and the benefits of earning a vocational diploma can help you determine which programs align with your personal and professional goals.
What Is a Vocational Diploma?
Vocational programs are postsecondary education programs that prepare students for specific trades or careers. They provide specialized training, typically balancing classroom instruction with hands-on learning experiences, to help students develop the necessary skills to enter into particular professions.
Compared with traditional degree programs, vocational programs provide a much more focused education. While associate or bachelor’s degree programs emphasize developing overall intelligence and critical thinking skills, vocational programs target job-specific training.
Because the curriculum is more focused, it typically takes less time to earn a vocational diploma than a traditional degree. While bachelor’s degree programs generally take four years to complete, earning a vocational diploma can take as little as one to two years.
Types of Vocational Programs
There are a wide range of vocational programs that can prepare students for diverse professions, from nursing and dental hygiene to cosmetology and commercial truck driving. Fortis offers numerous vocational programs for career-minded students.
Healthcare
For individuals seeking jobs in the healthcare sector, there are several types of vocational programs that can lead to entry-level positions in this field, including the following:
Nursing: Students can develop the skills and expertise to launch their nursing careers in practical nursing programs. Building clinical and administrative nursing competencies can give students the foundation to become licensed practical nurses.
Dental: Dental training programs prepare students for careers as either dental assistants or dental hygienists.
Medical Technologist and Technician: Medical technologist and technician training programs can open up multiple career paths in healthcare, including occupations such as pharmacy technician or medical lab technician, as well as roles in surgical technology or radiologic technology.
Healthcare and Medical Training: Students can train for various clinical and administrative roles working in hospitals, physician’s offices, rehabilitation centers, and other settings. Positions in this field include medical assistant, medical coder, lab technician, or medical office administrative assistant.
Skilled Trades
Skilled trades programs prepare students for an array of career paths. Programs can include training in the electrical trades, welding, and heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC-R). As with other vocational programs, skilled trades programs combine classroom instruction and experiential learning to ensure that students emerge with the skills they need to excel.
Cosmetology and Massage Therapy
Earning a diploma from a cosmetology or massage therapy program can prepare students to enter the growing beauty and wellness industry, whether they are interested in becoming barbers, stylists, massage therapists, or skin care specialists.
Commercial Driving
Commercial driving training programs provide students with the training to enter commercial truck driving careers. In addition to getting plenty of opportunities to hone their skills behind the wheel, students can learn about essential safety procedures and traffic laws to prepare them to pass the commercial driver’s license (CDL) tests in their states.
6 Vocational Program Benefits
The benefits of earning a vocational diploma are numerous, particularly for students who are looking to expedite their entry into the job market. Below are some of the most notable advantages of vocational education.
1. Opportunities to Complete Quickly
Completing a vocational program typically takes less time than a traditional degree program, such as a bachelor’s degree. These programs generally take around four years to complete, while students can earn a vocational diploma in as little as one to two years, or even less in some cases.
2. Reduce Costs
Because vocational programs are generally shorter, they are often less expensive than traditional degree programs. This can translate into a significant return on investment once graduates start their careers.
3. Gain Practical Experience
Most vocational programs provide students with the opportunity to develop practical skills through hands-on learning experiences in laboratory and small group activities. Additionally, vocational programs may help students find internship or apprenticeship opportunities, in which they can gain real-life experience before entering the workforce.
4. Begin Working Immediately
Due to their focus on practical skill development, vocational programs enable graduates to hone the necessary competencies to enter into their fields of choice soon after earning their diplomas. Recent reports indicate that traditional degree holders are having a harder time landing jobs, whereas those in industries associated with vocational programs (e.g., manufacturing) are seeing high demand for their skills.
5. Upskill or Switch Careers
Many individuals who pursue vocational education are seeking to enter the job market for the first time. Others are already established in their careers and view vocational education as a means to enhance their skill sets and receive training in supplemental areas to become more marketable candidates.
Earning a vocational diploma can also facilitate a career change for those seeking an entirely different professional path. For example, someone working an office job who wants to enter the healthcare sector can earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and prepare to become a registered nurse.
6. Experience Robust Job Growth
Many of the professions associated with vocational programs are expected to see strong employment growth nationally over the next decade. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts that the following occupations will grow substantially between 2022 and 2032:
Registered Nurses: 6% (177,400 new jobs)
Electricians: 6% (49,200 new jobs)
Dental Hygienists: 7% (16,300 new jobs)
Barbers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists: 8% (47,200 new jobs)
Medical Records Specialists: 8% (16,500 new jobs)
Train for a Rewarding Career With Fortis
Vocational education can be an efficient path for students to develop the practical skills they need to begin their careers after they graduate. The specialized instruction provided in vocational programs is also valuable for those seeking to switch careers or progress within their existing lines of work.
If you are interested in vocational education, consider exploring the many training programs offered at Fortis. Our programs balance traditional classroom instruction with hands-on learning guided by experienced faculty to set you up for success in a wide range of fields, from nursing to cosmetology.
Learn more about Fortis, and discover how a vocational diploma can be your passport to a meaningful career.
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