Initial Vocational Education and Training

Vocational training prepares students to work in a field that is related to a certain vocation or trade.  Initial vocational training provides young people in post-secondary or secondary education the skills to get out and get a job in today’s demanding job force.  

Popularity

According to statistics in Europe, Vocational training is pursued by more than half of the young students. However, in places like Canada, Australia and the United States most government programs are focused more on adult and continuing education.

Examples

Vocational education in Europe differs by country according to the institution and the age or education of the students involved. In the United States and Canada most secondary schools offer vocational and academic courses as a part of the curriculum. This is diminishing lately however because there is not much interest in them.

Where is it going?

While the practice is spreading in Europe, there is concern that the United States is rapidly losing ground by not preparing young people to be productive and successful in the workforce when they graduate and join the real world. The United States is said to focus too much attention on the adult and continuing education and not enough on preparing their school children for the future. Vocational programs are said to prepare students to get into the workforce and succeed at the job they are wanting to do. It is a much needed educational area in Europe as well as the United States and Canada.