Post-secondary vocational programs have emerged as the answer to the growing need for skilled tradespeople in today’s economy. But, choosing from among the myriad of post-secondary vocational programs available may be daunting. There are many things to consider when going through this process. A post-secondary vocational school should not only meet the needs of today’s tradespeople but also those of tomorrow. While enrolling in a post-secondary vocational program may offer job security for some, choosing the right one will open up a world of new opportunities.
Basics
One must consider both the nature and size of the program. The number of enrolled students is an important determinant of the type of program that should be chosen. For instance, a technical college or technical institute may be able to house a handful of student participants, while a community college may be able to house hundreds. The average class size in these post-secondary vocational programs is usually from four to eight. Enrollment in programs with more than ten students typically requires a student to take part in a project. This project could be something such as working in a lab or assisting in a class research project.
The other consideration for selecting a post-secondary vocational program is the curriculum. Both online and on-campus programs are available. The one that will best serve the student’s career goals should be selected. Courses offered by community colleges generally cover more technical subjects like mathematics and science and less business-oriented subjects such as marketing or sales. Some colleges and universities also have independent technical learning centres. These centres offer their curricula and often work in tandem with the local post-secondary vocational school.
The post-secondary vocational program is typically four years. At times, bachelor’s degrees are also offered in these programs. In many cases, part-time studies are required to maintain eligibility. The course work typically takes several years to complete. The length of time to complete the course work depends on the type of post-secondary vocational program that has been selected. Some post-secondary vocational programs require only two years while others take four.
Applying and Studying
Once the student has chosen which post-secondary vocational program he or she will attend, he or she must select a course of study and apply to the program. Normally, there is a selection committee that reviews applications and then chooses those that meet the general admission requirements. The student must then attend classes regularly and complete the course work to be considered for admission.
Many post-secondary vocational programs have some sort of internship component to them. Students who are enrolled in these programs are usually allowed to participate in a work experience or project placement program in the field that they are studying. Students are often given a job guide along with all the training they need to find employment. In many cases, this is the beginning of a job search.
Students who are attending post-secondary vocational programs must keep good academic records. Good grades are a necessary prerequisite for admittance into any post-secondary vocational program. Students who have a poor or non-existent academic record may have a difficult time finding an appropriate job. Employers are not interested in hiring someone who has not passed an evaluation.
Once a student has been accepted into a post-secondary vocational program, he or she can expect to find work in the area in which he or she has chosen to study. In addition to working at a job related to his or her studies, the student may have the option to get some hands-on training. This often takes place during the summer or winter breaks. The work will be somewhat supervised, but the student is not required to do the work under the supervision of a professor. As long as a student has completed all requirements for graduation from a post-secondary vocational program, he or she will be able to start working immediately upon graduation. Many employers prefer to hire graduates because of their ability to be self-supporting and responsible.