Challenges Facing The U.s. Vocational Training System

People are told from a young age that the only way to lead a successful life is to go to college. Although there is no denying of the economic advantage post secondary learning can provide for a student, college isn’t necessarily the only available option. Options like trade school or vocational training are other reasonable choices. However, trade school is not seen as legitimate as a traditional four year college, and a trade school student is not seen as having a secure future. The majority of people fail to realize there are hundreds of well paying employment opportunities that do not require the time, money, and effort needed to get a college degree. Not only does the negative perception of trade school hurt the futures of students, it ultimately hurts the nation’s economy. In order to eliminate the stigma surrounding non traditional schools, students and parents should be exposed to trade schools and the benefits of pursuing a vocational career.

People can attend trade schools or community colleges to obtain the knowledge needed in a short period of time to join the workforce sooner. While the salary for these occupations do not pay as well as a doctor , lawyer or teacher, they can still help you to be more successful. This option also isn’t as costly as obtaining four or two-year degrees . “Professor Lerman, the American University economist, said some high school graduates would be better served by being taught how to behave and communicate in the workplace”(Steinberg, 2010). Switching from a school environment to a workplace can be an issue for many graduates. Due to college and graduate schools being pushed to the forefront of focus there is a lack of preparation provided to the students who choose to go straight into the workforce after graduating high school. In some cases this results in poor work ethic, the ability to work well with others,professionalism and handling issues in a work environment. “Yet despite the need, vocational school programs, which might teach such skills, have been one casualty in the push for national education

Moving forward, Smith-Hughes Act of 1917 commissioned federal revenue to create and support of secondary and postsecondary vocational training. Emphasis were placed on instruction in agriculture, home economics, and trades and industry. This act along with the demand for change and other outlets for education, open the doors for trades that prepared people for jobs. Legislation during this time contended that this was the best step moving forward to focus on skills to ensure people were workplace ready.

For the sake of a national technical education, the federal must develop the programs of study in consultation with the states and local programs, and each local receiving funding under the Act will be required to offer the relevant course of at least one program of study. To our belief, such a move will maximize the profitability of the labor workforce industry throughout the country.

In this paper I will explain the differences between two perceptions about education verses employment. First, I will examine “Are Too Many People Going to College?” written by Charles Murray which explores other avenues for employment without a formal education. Secondly, I will review Sanford Ungar’s work in “The New Liberal Arts”. He advocates a traditional Liberal Arts education as a necessity in life and a strong foundation for employment.

In the past several years, there has been a growing trend in the number of college-bound individuals getting two-year degrees from community colleges or earning certification for their desired career field at vocational schools. Such schools certainly seem to have some valuable qualities: all boast of having lower costs than other colleges, of their absence of student loans, of allowing people to make more money quicker, of being narrowly focused so students don’t have to take classes they don’t need. They attempt to point out apparent weaknesses in liberal arts colleges as well, claiming that such an education is unnecessary in today’s world. However, for every reason to go to a community or two-year college, a vocational track, or an

Learning a trade profession is a better option than college for many young adults. Today’s society is in need of trade professions to function. There has been a high number of young adults choosing college over learning trade. This has created a ‘skills gap’ in the US causing a shortage of ‘middle-skilled’ trade workers like machinists, electricians, plumbers, and construction workers. (ProCon.org) To work in some trade professions, one must go to a trade

Charles Murray is writing to The Wall Street Journal, which is a huge and very diverse audience to whom to present such a controversial argument. The point Murray is trying to make is that vocational schools are more effective and logical courses of action for young people entering the job market than is the conventional 4-year-university track. In championing the cause of vocational schools over college, Murray uses logos, appeals to authority, though his tone makes him come across as a little condescending. This may almost damage his argument overall. Murray’s argument is persuasive through his use of

Steinberg wrote this essay because he has an understanding that earning a degree is no longer synonymous with higher earning and stability, ergo he is accepting that there is a need for alternatives that can equip people with the expertise needed in the work-force. Steinberg, neither persuades or discourages the reader from attending college, in this article he merely sheds light on the fact that most Americans are underemployed and overqualified for many of the careers in modern society and it will be beneficial for some to pay an affordable cost for a college alternative such as a vocational or technical school that will allow the financial gain that we are all in search of. One of the economist that Steinberg referenced is Professors Lerman of American University who spoke with appreciation for a program that the CVS pharmacy implemented where aspiring pharmacists worked as an apprentice and many moved on to become pharmacists themselves. I, like Professors Steinberg and Lerman, agree that if schools, government, and employers offered similar programs it would be beneficial to everyone involved; schools would have a higher enrollment rate, students would have direction and the needed skills to succeed, and employers would have quality employees who are excited and fulfilled by their

Some company pays educational institutions directly for expensive, intense training programs that require payment up front (O’Reilly, Brendan 2001). Today, nearly 15 percent of our domestic workforce is enrolled in college and university coursework, more than half seeking advanced degrees. Our participation rates are three times the national average for companies with similar programs. And, participants' retention rate is double that of all employees (Cassidy, John F. 2004).

The skilled trades in America have long been the icon of the working class. Every day millions of people rely on them yet few are ever recognized for the work they accomplish. Without the trades, there would be no office buildings, as well as no plumbing, or electricity, there are plenty more, however, that’s just to list a few. The reason for the project was for personal interest in the trades and the love for hard work over an office setting. In the paper, the lack of skilled trades and the effects that may take place are investigated further. The trades have long been what America was built on, but what’s happening to the future of them, and why fewer students are joining the workforce right out of high school. The push for college has damaged

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department and the courses taught in this department of the Danville Public School systems is required to adhere to the guidelines and regulations set forth by the Virginia Department of Education and the local school district. In addition, as a recipient of Carl D. Perkins funds, other guidelines and regulations as outlined in the grant must be followed. As student enroll and complete academic work in a CTE course, industry and work readiness certifications are available. In 2012, the General Assembly passed into law, HB 1061 and SB 489, to strengthen postsecondary education and workplace readiness opportunities for all students. (Education) The new regulation required that each student

Academic economists have always been interested in general training of employees. For instance, Pigou (1912) argues that firms do not have the incentive to provide general training to employees. Workers can quit and work for other

Career and technical education, CTE, prepare individuals with the skills needed to efficiently grow into various high demand careers. Career and technical pathways create a system where students of all ages can become better prepared for the workforce. Career and technical education is applicable to college students and adults, but is most commonly embroidered into high school students learning style. The CTE path involves the grind between academics, technical skills, and work specific attributes in which each adds onto another to develop a more prepared individual. Provided that career and technical education has been around for a while, it has proven itself to be an exceptional method for students to embed into their studies.

General training of employees is always an interesting topic for many economists and some say firms would not have the incentive to pay for general training. Pigou (1912) argues that because workers can quit and work for other employers after being trained, firms could not recoup their investment on training and so they