What is a Vocational Degree? Benefits & Career Paths

Not long ago, the emphasis on a university degree overshadowed the practicality of a vocational degree, as the former was considered rare and elite, and it all but guaranteed an illustrious future. Due to that implied guarantee, acquiring a university degree became an obsession for students and a requirement by employers. However, as any Economics 101 class will teach us, all markets rely on supply and demand. As demand for a university degree rose, it was met with increasing supply via easier accessibility both in price and university entrance requirements. This was a boon to students, schools, and employers for a time. However, over time, these freshly printed diplomas lost their value, just like freshly minted fiat currency in a recessive market. Printing more money doesn't increase goods, and minting more graduates does not create more jobs. As a result, a diploma was no longer enough to lay a career path or even secure a good job post-graduation.

What is a Vocational Degree?

To put it simply, a vocational degree is an education with a purpose, a direct line from learning to doing, that attracts those who want to skip the fluff and get to the part where they learn how to actually do something.

Above all, the value of a vocational degree lies in its focused structure, which means that no time is wasted on unrelated topics. For example, if you're studying automotive repair, you'll spend most of the time under the hood of a car and less writing papers on transportation history.

Although there was this long-standing idea that it was somehow "less than" a traditional degree dedicated only to people who couldn't cut it in college, fortunately, vocational education seems to be shedding this old reputation. Today, we are seeing increased demand for vocational education and an increase in vocational training institute options which emphasize vocational skills. Educational institutions such as trade schools, vocational schools, and hybrid university-level solutions like the vocational training institute, Swiss Hotel Management School (SHMS), where graduates receive both a vocational degree and a university degree at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels are becoming more popular.

Vocational Degree vs. University Degree

Vocational and university degrees each carve out their own space in education. Both serve as pathways to learning and success, but they take different methods to get there. While we know that university education provides an educational foundation, often with a focus on adaptability across various roles, a vocational degree prepares students for a specific job or industry with direct and practical training.

The differences stand out even more when you dig into the details. Let's do so.

Differences between vocational education and traditional university education

As previously mentioned, a traditional college or university, particularly at the undergraduate level, offers a broad education applicable to various professions within a field. A vocational training institute focuses on direct knowledge and instruction in a specific area or role, omitting unrelated subjects.

Historically, vocational education was intended for trades and crafts involving manual work, like plumbing, baking, or car repair, and students went to trade schools to gain vocational training. This practical education focused on developing the skills and knowledge necessary for everyday tasks in a specific field, emphasizing hands-on learning rather than abstract concepts and theories. These schools were often considered non-academic, but vocational education has evolved to cover industries ranging from business management to information technology and computer programming.

Today's trade schools cater to a wide range of traditional and modern careers, offering in-depth training in creative industries such as photography, culinary arts, cosmetology, and design arts such as fashion, graphics, interior, and video game design. They also provide training for essential trades in construction and the automotive industry, as well as training in important professional jobs such as accounting, medical or dental assistant, and court reporting.

Benefits of Pursuing a Vocational Degree

When you take a step back and think about why people pursue education in the first place, it almost always comes down to a few simple but important goals—they want to build a better future for themselves and feel confident stepping into a career they are passionate about or at least provides the security they need.

The benefits of pursuing a vocational degree, especially now when people are so conscious of time, money, and job stability, stand out in a way that's hard to ignore.

Some of these benefits include but are not limited to the following:

Workforce Readiness

One of the most important and perhaps most popular benefits of vocational education is its almost uncanny ability to prepare students for the workforce in a manner that feels refreshingly direct.

Unlike traditional academic programs, which often engage students in a seemingly endless sea of theories and broad-based knowledge that may or may not ever see practical application, vocational programs operate with a laser-focused intention.

This focus on direct applicability sets them up to enter the workforce with confidence, competence, and a clear understanding of what's expected from them from day one.

Cost-Effectiveness

For many students who are contemplating their next educational steps, especially nowadays, where every dollar feels stretched thinner than ever, the financial aspect of pursuing higher education becomes intimidating.

The cost, both direct and indirect, of a traditional four-year degree can be overwhelming both in terms of the tuition fees themselves and also when considering the additional costs of housing, textbooks, and, perhaps most significantly, the fact that they might not be able to work full-time while engaged in school.

Vocational education, in contrast, offers a pathway that is undeniably more economical, not just in monetary terms but in terms of time as well. These programs are typically shorter. This allows students to complete their training in a fraction of the time it takes to earn a bachelor's or a graduate degree such as a master's or Ph.D.

This reduced timeline has the added benefit of lowering overall expenses, including living costs, while also enabling students to start earning a paycheck far sooner than they might in a more traditional educational route.

But that's not where it stops! Many vocational schools are able to alleviate some of the financial burdens through partnerships with local industries or unions, which can provide scholarships, grants, or even paid apprenticeships.

Taking into consideration that student debt has become an almost universal concern, these benefits, when taken together, make vocational programs feel like a rare advantage.

High-Demand Career Opportunities

It's fascinating, in a way, to consider how quickly the job market has transformed in recent years. The dual forces of technological advancement and global economic shifts have created this strange dichotomy where, even as certain jobs are disappearing or becoming obsolete, others are springing up to meet new needs and challenges.

And this is where vocational education finds its sweet spot, positioning itself at the intersection of the market changes. Vocational education is always ready to prepare students for careers that are in high demand and also resilient against many of the forces that threaten job security in other sectors.

Take, for example, professions like electricians, dental hygienists, or hospitality roles—these are careers that simply cannot be outsourced or automated in the way that so many others have been. For students who choose a vocational degree, there is often a sense of clarity and purpose that accompanies their education.

Instead of wondering whether there will be a place for them in the job market, they can be confident that they are developing skills for roles that are consistently in high demand.

Popular Vocational Programs

In addition to the benefits mentioned above, its versatility is yet another of the inherently captivating benefits of vocational education. It holds a unique ability to cater to an array of ambitions. It isn't confined to a single field or narrowly tailored to one type of individual.

Students can explore fields as varied as healthcare, technology, skilled trades, and creative arts, with each program focusing on the specific skills needed to succeed in that area.

Healthcare Programs

More often than not, when vocational degrees come up, healthcare programs often emerge as some of the most sought-after and rewarding options. The healthcare field, after all, is one of the few industries that remain an unwavering constant in its importance to society, no matter how much the world changes.

Regardless of the program, be it a practical nurse (LPN) or a medical assistant, the focus is always on equipping students with the precise skills they'll need to make an immediate impact in the lives of others.

What's particularly appealing about vocational healthcare programs is their ability to compress an extraordinary amount of practical knowledge into a relatively short period. In a matter of months, students can go from having little to no experience in the field to becoming certified professionals who are ready to undertake critical roles.

Skilled Trades

Unlike traditional education, where students might spend years studying concepts in the abstract, vocational skilled trades programs prioritize learning by doing. Instructors aren't just focused on talking about tools and techniques. Instead, they aim to guide students in wielding them and teach the skills that transform raw materials into finished products. 

For those willing to roll up their sleeves and put in the work, these programs offer a ticket to a stable and rewarding career.

Technology

It's almost impossible to overstate how profoundly technology has reshaped our world and how crucial it has become to virtually every industry. As such, it's no surprise that vocational programs focused on technology continue to attract students eager to dive into the field.

From network administration and cybersecurity to software development and IT support, these technology programs offer a direct pathway into careers that pay well and also promise longevity in our digitized world.

Creative Arts

When we think of vocational education, we focus on some of the most popular fields, such as trades, healthcare, or technology. However, there's an entire world of vocational training that exists at the intersection of passion and practicality: the creative arts. These programs deserve their own moment in the spotlight because they represent a space where artistic vision and technical skills come together to create not just art but careers.

What sets vocational creative arts programs apart is their unique ability to form a curriculum that speaks to both the dreamer and the professional in each student. The learning journey for culinary arts students, for example, doesn't simply stop at experimenting with flavors and plating techniques for the sake of creativity.

Instead, they also learn how to run a kitchen with precision, plan menus that balance innovation with cost-effectiveness, and even navigate the complicated business side of a restaurant. In many ways, these programs prepare students to step directly into their preferred industries, but not before giving them the opportunity to build something real that relates to their future careers.

How to Enroll in a Vocational Program

Enrolling in a vocational program, while seemingly straightforward at first glance, is a process that involves much more than simply filling out an application form. It's a process that starts with self-reflection and research, requiring you to dig deep and truly understand what you want to achieve in your career. Pinpointing the aspirations is the first step, as it lays the foundation for everything that follows.

From there, the next task is to wade through the sea of options available, such as vocational schools, community colleges, and specialized training centers, each offering programs tailored to specific fields.

Once you've chosen the right program, the preparation continues. Admission requirements vary, and while vocational programs often prioritize accessibility, you'll still need to meet certain criteria.

More often than not, the requirements might include the following:

• a high school diploma,
• proof of prior coursework or
• passing a placement exam.

How to Choose the Right Vocational Degree Program?

Choosing the right vocational degree program is certainly not something that should be rushed into. Although it is common to get caught up in the excitement of jumping straight in, there's so much more to consider beneath the surface. The time, energy, and financial investment involved should lead to outcomes that are meaningful; otherwise, it could all be for nothing.

It's common to get lost in the variety of programs out there. Find resources that compare and contrast different programs as a starting point. It's not going to lay out all the answers on a silver platter, of course, but it's a good way to compare completion rates, employment stats, and program details.

It's also important to remember that no amount of online research can quite replace the experience of being there in person. Visiting a school can make all the difference. Walking through the facilities, observing their equipment, and checking if it aligns with current industry standards are essential steps. There's no substitute for seeing it firsthand. And, of course, speaking with both instructors and students can offer insights into the program's quality and overall atmosphere.

As you decide on the program that fits your goals, another critical consideration is the type of credential you will earn upon completion—be it a certificate, diploma, or degree—and how it aligns with your career aspirations.

Certificates, degrees, and diplomas certify an accomplishment in higher education, and each has its own requirements, job prospects, and significance. It is crucial to consider which option aligns best with your career goals. By comparing the paths and outcomes associated with each achievement, you can adequately prepare for your desired career.

It is prudent to note that any educational institution can offer its own certificate or diploma, so looking for an accredited school or program is important. Accreditation is an assessment process performed by a third-party accrediting agency. It validates your program of choice, offering assurance of a quality education. It is wise to be wary before registering with an unaccredited school or program. That said, not all reputable schools are accredited. Many religious schools and other schools that do not want to be restricted by regulations may choose not to be accredited. It is also important to note that some trade schools, where the career does not require an accredited degree, may not see the benefit of going through the grueling accreditation process.

A general rule to follow is the higher the graduate level, the more critical accreditation becomes. A certificate from a non-accredited vocational education program is still recognized as a completion of study, as would be a diploma. However, be aware that credits from an unaccredited schools or programs usually will not transfer to another school. In all cases, whether traditional university or vocational education, the accreditation adds solid value for a long-vision career path.

Another point to consider when assessing schools is that not all vocational training institutes will offer the same graduation level.

A certificate is a vocational education certification obtained after completing a program without a degree. These programs are shorter than degree programs, usually concentrate on a specific skill set, and do not require completion of core classes. They can be earned from community colleges or vocational schools.

A diploma is awarded for both secondary and post-secondary studies. Typically, a diploma takes around two years to complete. A high school diploma is an example of a secondary-level diploma. Vocational training institutes are considered post-secondary education and may also grant a diploma instead of a certificate upon completion.

A degree is earned by completing an undergraduate or graduate program at a college or university. A bachelor's degree usually takes three to four years. It requires students to take general courses in addition to courses in their major or area of study, including subjects like mathematics, science, or language. After obtaining a bachelor's degree, some students may pursue further education with a graduate degree such as a master's or Ph.D.

Research, a lot of questions, and a bit of patience can ensure that the program selected will be a meaningful step toward a successful future.

Blending Vocational and Traditional Education at Swiss Hotel Management School

Swiss Hotel Management School offers the best of both educational models. It is an accredited vocational program, and upon graduation, you will receive a Bachelor's degree through the Hospitality Management BA program.

The curriculum is unique in that students receive a well-rounded hospitality degree, combining a university-style education with a vocational foundation of strong professional and soft skills, all designed with a clear career path in mind. This approach opens up a wide range of hospitality career options for our graduates.

For students who wish to take their education even further, Master level diplomas are available including a Master of Arts in International Hospitality Business Management and a Master of Science in International Hospitality Management.

The benefit of getting a degree with an emphasis in hospitality is that the education is based on core classes similar to any business degree but also includes the soft skills of hospitality. These skills are lacking in a pure university education model and are highly sought after by recruiters and employers across most industries. This is why over 90% of our students are employed before or shortly after graduation, and many actually never work in a hotel! It is a degree that opens many, many doors for our graduates.

Swiss Hotel Management School is a unique vocational training institute. An accredited vocational education program, preparing students for an illustrious career anywhere in the world – in a wide variety of industries. Swiss standards are high in hospitality, business and education. Swiss Hotel Management School exemplifies these standards in its education and its graduates.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to earn a vocational degree?

Vocational programs typically take a few months to two years, depending on the field and level of specialization. Flexible schedules allow for part-time or full-time study, making it easier to fit education into your life.

Are vocational degrees recognized internationally?

Many vocational degrees are recognized globally, especially those from accredited institutions or in fields with universal certifications. Research country-specific requirements to ensure your credentials align with local standards.

Can I pursue a vocational degree online?

Yes, many vocational programs offer online or hybrid options. Fields like IT and graphic design are fully online, while hands-on trades often combine online coursework with in-person training.