How can vocational education and skill building leverage your career options after Class 12

Vocational Education and Skill Based learning are the two hot topics in today’s world. Nowadays with the advent of modern technologies and advances in the Education department, students are no more concerned only with the traditional career buildings. Students today look for other career options except the traditional one. Vocational Education focuses on developing technical skills for a specific job or trade.

Vocational education and skill-building after Class 12 can significantly enhance one’s career options by providing practical, hands-on experience and specialized training in various fields. The following is how the vocational education can benefit the students:

1. Industry-Relevant Skills: Vocational programs offer targeted training in specific fields or industries, equipping one with the skills employers are looking for. This can make a person more competitive in the job market compared to a general academic background.

2. Certifications and Qualifications: Many vocational courses provide certifications that are recognized by industries, adding credibility to one’s resume and potentially increasing employability.

3. Direct Job Opportunities: Vocational education often includes internships or apprenticeships, providing real-world experience and connections within the industry. This practical experience can lead to job offers or make it easier to find employment after completing your training.

4. Career Flexibility: With a vocational qualification, one can enter various fields directly, such as technology, healthcare, construction, or creative industries, without needing a traditional four-year degree. This can be particularly advantageous if one wants to start working sooner or switch careers later.

5. Entrepreneurial Skills: Many vocational programs also offer training in entrepreneurship, helping you to start your own business or become self-employed, which can be a great option if you have a specific business idea or niche in mind.

6. Reduced Education Costs: Vocational training programs are often shorter and less expensive than traditional college degrees, allowing you to enter the workforce more quickly and with less debt.

Overall, vocational education and skill-building can provide a clear, practical pathway to a successful career, tailored to your interests and the needs of the job market. This training will help the students to be independent and responsible towards themselves and to their family members. But this training needs to start from the school level. Proper career counselling will help the students to understand their career growth. The fundamental role of educators is to grasp each student's mindset and steer them towards their full potential. An educator here plays an most important role to shape the career of the students.

Many students face difficulties understanding the basics of education but through hands-on experiences and learning, students can learn any concept in an easier way. Even The National Education Policy of 2020 has accepted Vocational Education to be a part of the curriculum.

To quote from the policy, “The National Education Policy 2020 proposes the revision and revamping of all aspects of education, including the educational structure, regulations and governance, to create a new system which is aligned with the aspirational goals of 21st century students. Vocational education will be integrated in the educational offerings of all secondary schools in a phased manner over the next decade. The development of vocational capacities will go hand-in-hand with the development of 'academic' or other capacities. To achieve this objective, secondary schools will have to collaborate with Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), Polytechnics, Local Industry, etc. Skill labs will also be set up and created in the schools in a Hub and Spoke model, which will allow other schools to use the facility. Higher education institutions will offer vocational education either on their own or in partnership with industry and other institutions.”

So now it is high time that we come out of the age-old traditional belief of career and encourage our students to explore new opportunities around. Only then, all students will get the chance to flourish and will raise their country’s pride to great extent.

About the Author: Ms. Rubaiya Rahman, Principal, Orchids The International School, Kolkata