LMSs Now Offer Vocational Programs

Category: Learning Management System
by Logan Smith
It’s no secret that the job market has been tough. Stories of job recruiters receiving thousands of resumes a day, and minimum wage jobs being sought after by Master’s and even PhD holders. What’s a job seeker to do? There’s the idea of going back to school, in hopes that the economy will turn around enough by the time you graduate. However, the fear of deepening your school loan debt and stunting your professional growth is too much for some individuals, especially with no guarantees of future employment.
Luckily, many learning management systems now offer vocational programs that can be taken online and from the comfort of your own home. So what exactly is the difference between a vocational program and a traditional degree program? A vocational program is much more specific to the trade or occupation you plan on pursuing. You won’t need to take hours of prerequisite classes and electives that have nothing to do with your actual major and it’s much less based on academics and grades as it is on the skills you’ll need to know. Vocational programs can teach you valuable skills that you use in real-life situations, not just a formal education.
Vocational certifications include areas from hospitality to health care, media and design to construction, IT and even animal care. There are very few fields you that don’t offer vocational programs. While it may not supply you with the “college experience” of football games and attending traditional classes, many high school students are looking at directly entering vocational programs upon graduation. Now that learning LMSs are providing vocational programs online, anyone in any stage of their life can now begin on a new career path. From stay-at-home moms, to full-time employees, right out of college or for those who’ve recently lost a job.
As with any education, there are a couple important things to consider: like did you know that 70% of all technical schools and vocational training programs are offered by private institutions? You will have to wade through piles of advertising and stacks of mailed literature to find the program that’s right for you. Try contacting current and former students to ask if they would recommend the program. Ask if there was enough technical support, since it’s an online programs and ask about the instructors. Were there enough practical and hands-on assignments to prepare you for your field? Did they make any connections through professors or industry professionals? And finally, the big question to ask former students, how was their job hunt after attending the program? Just do your research, know how much you can spend and you can find yourself a credible vocational education from the comfort of your own home.
by Logan Smith
It’s no secret that the job market has been tough. Stories of job recruiters receiving thousands of resumes a day, and minimum wage jobs being sought after by Master’s and even PhD holders. What’s a job seeker to do? There’s the idea of going back to school, in hopes that the economy will turn around enough by the time you graduate. However, the fear of deepening your school loan debt and stunting your professional growth is too much for some individuals, especially with no guarantees of future employment.
Luckily, many learning management systems now offer vocational programs that can be taken online and from the comfort of your own home. So what exactly is the difference between a vocational program and a traditional degree program? A vocational program is much more specific to the trade or occupation you plan on pursuing. You won’t need to take hours of prerequisite classes and electives that have nothing to do with your actual major and it’s much less based on academics and grades as it is on the skills you’ll need to know. Vocational programs can teach you valuable skills that you use in real-life situations, not just a formal education.
Vocational certifications include areas from hospitality to health care, media and design to construction, IT and even animal care. There are very few fields you that don’t offer vocational programs. While it may not supply you with the “college experience” of football games and attending traditional classes, many high school students are looking at directly entering vocational programs upon graduation. Now that learning LMSs are providing vocational programs online, anyone in any stage of their life can now begin on a new career path. From stay-at-home moms, to full-time employees, right out of college or for those who’ve recently lost a job.
As with any education, there are a couple important things to consider: like did you know that 70% of all technical schools and vocational training programs are offered by private institutions? You will have to wade through piles of advertising and stacks of mailed literature to find the program that’s right for you. Try contacting current and former students to ask if they would recommend the program. Ask if there was enough technical support, since it’s an online programs and ask about the instructors. Were there enough practical and hands-on assignments to prepare you for your field? Did they make any connections through professors or industry professionals? And finally, the big question to ask former students, how was their job hunt after attending the program? Just do your research, know how much you can spend and you can find yourself a credible vocational education from the comfort of your own home.