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Vocational education also known as career and technical education (CTE) primarily focus on teaching jobs that are based on manual and practical activities related to specific trade occupation or vocation. They are mainly non academic courses. At times it is referred to as technical education as the learner quickly develops expertise in a particular technology. In lay mans terms vocational courses enhances the skilled manpower to meet the requirements of the unorganized sector and instills self employment skills in people.
Till the 20th century vocational courses focused on specific trade activities such as mechanics and thus associated with activities of lower social classes but in the modern day scenario with economies becoming more advanced and the demand for specialization of labour increasing governments and businesses are investing more in the vocational educational courses by funding the public training programmes.
Beyond the 20th century vocational education has diversified and exists in industries across all sectors like retail, tourism, IT, funeral services and cosmetics as well as traditional crafts and cottage industries. Training for vocational courses is provided by institute of technology, Industrial training institutes and community colleges.
The demand for vocational courses is increasing by the day as students have realized that in order to survive in the competitive and fierce global job market being only a graduate is not enough. These courses focus on specialized rather than generalized understanding of the concerned subject. This has in a way become a need of the hour because it the specialized that climb up the ladder of success while those with generic knowledge remain at the bottom.
The mindset of parents and students towards these courses is changing for the better and many more are enrolling for them. The gap between the cut offs of these and the normal degree courses is reducing, the rush and the lines for vocational courses is increasing and it is no more considered an option only for the lesser students. The basic qualification for any of the vocational courses is 10+2..Students enroll for these courses keeping in mind their self interest and many other factors like the pay package, the placement and the growth in that sector.
Keeping in mind the Indian economy and its growth rate , the demand for skilled labour is increasing. Vocational courses provide the large chunk of unemployed population in India to specialize in a course of their choice and thus an opportunity to start earning a living for their family. It seems to be the only way out at present to improve the population and employment ratio.
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