Output Education

Education Blog

Vocational vs. Academic: What should schools offer?

Vocational vs. Academic: What should schools offer?

31 May, 2016

The focus of universities has been an issue among educators and other people involved in education.

Some may argue that universities should provide their students with more practical training necessary for their future career while others claim that universities should be more academic. Both arguments have reasonable points.

Tertiary education is considered to be the stepping stone in achieving a successful career. Universities and other similar academic institutions are definitely implementing various measures to make sure that students get the most of what they will need when they enter the job market. What tertiary schools really want is to make sure that every graduate can be employed. Academic knowledge and skills are significant to students but practical skills are equally important.

Undeniably, academic knowledge and skills are what students want to obtain when they enter a university or college. Students want to be well-equipped with all the knowledge and skills related to their major. Without these, they will have difficulties after graduation. Academics will teach students all the theories they need to deal with issues that they may encounter at work. These are the fundamentals of their job and they have to be very knowledgeable about everything to avoid committing errors. For instance, if a student wants to be a teacher, he or she has to know not just the subject to be taught but also the strategies needed in teaching and how to deal with different kinds of students. This will help them effectively teach students.

However, it is also worth noting that universities and colleges should be more vocational. We have to admit that not everyone can afford to finish a degree due to several factors like socio-economic status. Offering vocational skills will make students knowledgeable of some basic skills they can use in their daily life. For instance, female students can be taught on basic skills related to baking, sewing or culinary arts while male students can be trained on basic electronics, auto-mechanic and using heavy equipment. These skills can be taken only for a few months or a year but it can provide students with skills that they can somewhat use to get employed. Although they were not able to finish a degree, there are jobs offered today that requires only training on the said skills or they can use these skills to put a business on their own someday.

What universities and colleges focus on depends on the capability of students. I believe that tertiary schools should offer both academic and vocational training. Those who prefer and can afford to finish a degree can enroll and acquire the knowledge and skills required while those who are less affluent but have the desire to get a decent job can undergo vocational training. This way, everyone can have the opportunity to be successful in the future.