What are Vocational Courses?

Whether to go for more academic qualifications or for practical qualifications after GCSEs is a tough choice. If you are not interested in taking up courses that offer you more theoretical knowledge you can always go for taking up vocational courses. Here we will help you to understand what vocational courses are and what are the different types of vocational qualifications.

Quick Takeaways

• You learn more useful skills from your vocational courses than you would from regular A-levels. 
• They are made to help you gain a practical understanding of the field or subject you have selected. 
• It is best to take vocational courses if you are certain of your job goals. 
• There are different types of NVQs, BTECs, T-levels, and Apprenticeships.

You must read until the end so that you do not miss any crucial information regarding vocational courses.

What are vocational courses?

Unlike traditional A-levels, your vocational courses provide you with more practical knowledge. They are created to help in gaining practical knowledge of the specific field or area. It is best suited for you if you know what type of job you want to get in. Many universities offer this type of course, however, it is mostly offered in training or in technical schools. These courses will help you to get the required skills that are needed for the specific job. 

Which vocational course is best?

You may need to take 3-4 vocational courses depending upon the school you are studying in. Following are the 5 best vocational courses that you can take-

1. Hospitality

It is one of the industries in which you will have to deal with the guests at the recipients. The hospitality industry is one such industry that will cover a lot of matching roles and responsibilities. In this industry, you can find a lot of different jobs related to management, catering, the food industry, baking, customer service, etc.

2. Digital Marketing

This is one of the biggest growing industries as almost every business organization needs digital marketers to promote their products and get a client for them. You will be learning a wide range of skills like SEO, web development, designing, SME, etc. After choosing the field in which you need to get into, you can get specialized in that specific skill. As you can see there is a vast number of skills present in digital marketing, and you can decide to get specialized in one of them.

3. Language Expert

Just like A-level modern language, here you also need to have knowledge of more than a single language. You must be able to speak two different languages in a native manner. When you have knowledge of more than 1 single language, employers or even the government can offer you different types of jobs including translations, interpreters, etc. Thus choosing this course will help you to increase your chances of getting a good job.

4. Flight Attendant

As air travel is becoming more popular with time, the need for flight attendants is also increasing. You will have to take care of the passengers on the flight and thus must have good communication skills. As a flight attendant, you must look presentable and have good teamwork skills. You can find these courses in various airlines and training centers. 

5. Tradesman

This course provides you with help in a variety of areas including carpentry, plumbing, house remodeling, etc. With this program, you will be certified and prepared to work as a general tradesman, making furniture, and other comparable crafts. There are numerous career opportunities available, including plumbing services, and self-employment. A mechanical technician diploma, an electrician certification, and other credentials can be taken alternatively to this course.

what are the different types of vocational qualifications?

Following are the three different types of vocational qualifications that you can get-

1. NVQs

National Occupational Standards (NOS) for each career area serve as the foundation for National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs). NOS is a set of qualifications and skills that employers look for and you must possess in order to work in a particular industry. Typically, rather than attending college, you get the knowledge and skills required for an NVQ while you are working.

2. BTECs

BTEC is a certification that relates to a career and can be achieved in high school or college. They offer a more practical and hands-on approach and are less intellectual than A-levels. You can pick from more than 2,000 Btecs in 16 different industries. BTECs are a well-liked A-level substitute, but they are also offered at a range of levels, including those that are equivalent to GCSEs and degrees.

3. T-Levels

It is a brand-new, two-year program that is equal to three A-levels (and thus everyone is confused between both of them) in 2020. As a result, after completing their GCSEs, they now have the option of pursuing T-levels or A-levels. It will also include a 45-day work placement and 1,800 study hours divided over two years. Employers developed T Levels to help close skill gaps in the workforce and boost technical aptitude in job candidates.

4. Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship is a paid position that includes time set aside for formal education. Both new hires and experienced workers are eligible to enroll in apprenticeships. It is available from Level 2 (GCSE) to Level 7 (Master’s Degree). The course fees are covered by your company and the government. Apprenticeships have a “Standard” that outlines the information, abilities, and attitudes you will acquire.

Conclusion

Your vocational courses give you more practical knowledge than standard A-levels do. They are designed to assist you in obtaining a practical understanding of the chosen field or subject. If you know what you want to do in your career, it is best to take vocational courses. The top five vocational courses that you can take are flight attendants, hospitality, digital marketing, etc. In addition to it, you can take various types of vocational qualifications including T-levels, BTECs, Apprenticeships, etc.