When it comes to education nothing is too late as one can start from anywhere he wants to. Vocational learning is something which is going to help those aspirants who are looking for job oriented courses.

This is traditionally non-academic in nature and is totally related to specific trade, occupation or vocation. In today’s economy, vocational jobs are becoming more and more vital. Aspirants are being prepared as it covers a large number of careers and industries like trades and office work, retail, hospitality and technology.

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Such courses can be at the secondary or post-secondary level and can interact with the apprentice-ship system. Increasingly, it can be recognised in terms of prior learning and partial academic credit towards tertiary education. However, it is rarely considered in its own form to fall under the traditional definition of a higher education.

Vocational education helps people in better performance of their jobs as they acquire a great learning experience. Working professionals gets a chance to hone their skills while making money. Such courses are designed to help you learn in a practical way about a specific area. They can help you get the skills you need to start a job, progress in a career or go on to higher levels of education. The World Bank report shows that among persons of age 15-29 only about two per cent reported to have received formal vocational training.

The proportion of persons who received formal vocational training was the highest among the unemployed. There is little capacity in India and even that is under-utilised. World Bank Report suggests that the enrollment figure is less than three per cent of the students attending Grades XI to XII.

Vocational courses are offered in various fields including health care, engineering, hospitality management, management, fire and safety, computer and IT, creative fields like graphic and web designing, food technology and cosmetology, event management, fashion designing, telecommunication, footwear designing, tailoring and embroidery, tool designing, jewellery designing and more.

Generally, it is understood that employers choose to hire a student who has done a vocational course rather than a simple college pass out. The student already owns the right personality, skills, potentials and education for the job and the companies feel that he will be more fruitful due to his practical knowledge.

The time period for the course is less, but the expertise that is imparted is fairly equivalent to any college education.

Thus, by doing a vocational course, an expert can enrich his career forecasts and accomplish success.

(The writer is chairman, GMVSS)