Vocational Training - What's That?

There are two different types of Vocational Training.The High School and Junior College locally based
The first type is commercially oriented vocationalhands on vocational training programs are often
training programs. These are operated by for profitsomewhat limitedin the functional areas which they
organizations which have primary interest in theteach. This often because of facilities constraints.
amount of profitability rather than the specific functionalThere be limited space available. In some the space
areas of coverage which are offered.available is unsuitable for the type of training being
The second type of Vocational Training comes fromperformed. For example, a classroom is not a suitable
the academic community. The two types ofplace to conduct a class in performing auto body
educational organizations most often involved inrepair.
vocational training are High Schools and JuniorThe other common limitation facing schools offering
Colleges. Undergraduate programs and Graduatehands on training, is finding qualified people to teach the
Schools are rarely involved in vocational training.courses. It is often difficult to obtain experienced
The commercial vocational education programsinstructors for many of the functional areas for which
typically offer both home study programs throughhands on training is appropriate.
correspondence/websites as well as local on site,One lack that exists in the entire vocational system is
hands on, training. There are some Junior Colleges whoa training program which provides the skills needed to
also offer home study programs. One barrier to entryimprove productivity. Topics such as productivity
to the commercial vocational training is the enrollmentimprovement, work measurement, methods and
costs. These can be quite expensive. Typically theprocedures, budgeting and conducting Requests for
High School and Junior College vocational trainingQuotations (RFQ) are rarely addressed. This is despite
classes are much less expensive than theirthe fact that productivity improvement opportunities
commercially offered cousins. This applies to both local,are available in most if not every enterprise.
hands on, training as well as to home study programs.Many organizations have functional areas where
One problem with home study programs is that theypotential productivity can be as high as 45% of the
are self paced. Students often sign up for suchcost of the function. Few enterprises have less than a
programs but lack the self discipline to continue them5% opportunity for productivity improvement.
until completion. This often makes for a high drop outThese disciplines can benefit from both hands on
rate.training and from self paced study programs. Improved
In the cases where completion of a course counts forcommunication with businesses as to the huge scope
credit toward a work related skill. The motivation existsof productivity improvements will also be helpful.
so that completion rates grow larger.