Are University Graduates Better Equipped than Vocational Trained Professionals

The differences between formal university education and vocational training are becoming bleaker as both provide a unique set of advantages and disadvantages. With volatile economies and the fluctuating unemployment numbers causing concern to graduates, the option of vocational training has come to the forefront. In the recent years, many have been accepting informal education while putting focus on the practical skills of the employee rather than their formal educational background.

What gives university education the edge?

There have been many studies that support formal university education, higher pay being one of the biggest advantages. By opting for formal training of many years, employers are assured of the quality of work delivered by university graduates. This holds even more true when the graduates come from prestigious universities within the UK or worldwide.

Formal education promises a certain degree of assurance that the potential employee is skilled at the job. On an average, university graduates earn much more than those without a degree, regardless of their skills. A degree is also a lifetime investment that carries more chances of employment in the future. With vocational training, you may not earn as much as university graduates.   

Advantages of vocational training

Focuses mainly on equipping you with the right skills to carry out a certain job, vocational training is aimed at providing practical knowledge and not book-based information. Unlike university degrees, you will be focusing on one or more subjects and acquire training in handling specific jobs.

Vocational courses are much shorter than degree courses. Degree courses last between three to five years while vocational training can be as short as six months. This means that you are ready for the challenges of the real world job with hands-on practical experience in the field of your choice within months. The costs for vocational training are also significantly lower than a formal degree as reputed universities charge massive tuition fees.

When should you opt for vocational training?

If a formal degree is not your preference or if you are facing financial difficulties, vocational training is a quick and effective way to secure a job and hone your skills. Interestingly, you can also support your degree with vocational courses to gain an edge. Vocational training is a useful option if you are looking for a career change after several years of experience.

From an employer's point of view, the practical work experience and training takes precedence over degree courses. Many employers feel that students leave University with unrealistic expectations and some even prefer school dropouts with vocational training in a specific field. According to numerous surveys conducted recently, it was found that employer's prefer youngsters with specific training as they are better equipped to complete the job. If you pick the right fields to take up vocational courses, you could gain the edge over university graduates.

About the author:

Grace is an expert associated with PASS Training and Development, a reliable training company for professionals looking for a new career path.