Higher Education via Skills Development

Skills development and Vocational Education plays a vital role in Human resource Development of the country by creating skilled manpower, enhancing industrial productivity and improving the quality of life. University Collagesconduct courses and programs in Engineering, Technology, Management, Logistics, Planning, Craftsmanship, Hotel Management and Food Technology with many more programs in vocational stream.

High quality career based and Vocational Education programs are designed towards preparing the individual to meet the needs of the industry. These programs ensure high skills and training and also provide on the job learning experience. The individual is ready to join the workforce when as soon as he or she finishes the Higher National Diploma (HND)or as early as they complete the NVQ certification requirements. Students who graduate from these high quality programs are positioned to continue studying and advance their careers through further training and can potentially become future leaders in there selected professions. There are only twenty three high quality programs that prepare the student with immediate employability.

What is the Difference between a University Collage and a Traditional College or University?

Typically, traditional degreeawarding institutions and Universities offer programs that are intended to provide students with a solid foundation of skills and knowledge related to a broad area of study. In addition, they include learning requirements for general education leading to academic specialties and various courses. Often, these programs are designed to take approximately four years of full-time study, and they equip students with the prerequisites to enter a variety of fields or pursue a graduate education.

As an example, a traditional University might offer Bachelor’s Degree programs in various fields that can open the door to entry-level business-related positions. Once in these positions, individuals can acquire the experience and on-thejob expertise needed to move into the advanced roles they desire. Another key distinction of a traditional university is that program curricula contain a larger component of theoretical instruction than what you’ll tend to get at a Vocational School and is more likely to focus on building abstract skills such as critical-thinking, teamwork, research, and problemsolving.

Conversely, University Collagestend to offer occupationspecific programs geared towards helping students to prepare to go directly from school into their chosen careers.

University Collages are typically based on hands-on approach to learning; students are taught the practical skills and knowledge that employers are looking for right out of the gate. That means graduates are expected to possess real-world experience working with relevant tools and technologies, an understanding of industry-standard processes and practices, and anything else that would contribute directly to their professions. In addition, University Collages which are affiliated to the University of Vocational Technology often tailor review program offerings, learning formats, and student services to meet the needs of a more diverse student body since individuals who enroll in University Collages are often already working, have families, and don’t want to (or aren’t able to) attend a conventional education system.

University Collages, refers to a system or course of study which prepares individuals for jobs that are based on manual or practical activities. Vocational Education is traditionally non-academic in nature and is totally related to a specific trade, occupation or vocation. Because it is Vocation based, it is called Vocational Education. Until recently the aim of vocational education was to focus on specific trades associated with the activities of middle and supervisory levels. Because of this, it attracted less students.

But with the development of economies worldwide, the labor market became more specialized. The demand for higher levels of skill both in government and business sector started increasing. This lead to the further development of Vocational Education through publicly funded training organizations and subsidized apprenticeship or traineeship initiatives for businesses. Demand for Vocational Professionals is required more than ever in various industries or organizations.

There remains a paradox in the world labor market in many years. While millions of jobs couldn’t be filled, youth unemployment has is always increased by the to year. Unfortunately, a huge number of unemployed people have academic degrees. This is a conundrum resulted from the skills shortages of workforce all over the globe. Governments, policy makers, educators and employers are paying more attention to Vocational Education due to its undeniable benefits. By doing a lot of researches, they believe that Vocational Education is the best solution for this stubborn issue.

Why should we take Vocational Education into account?

Academic education is good, but it’s not the only feasible option for students. The mass participation in Colleges and Universities doesn’t guarantee high qualified output for the economy. Conventional education requires 4-5 years to complete a bachelor program with most of there offering theatrical knowledge. Conversely, students who choose University Collages often take about 3 years to acquire both basic knowledge and practical skills for their jobs. Apart from tenure, Vocational Education and Training also gain advantage from the connection between schools and businesses. Skilled-based schools ensure that their students can work well right after graduation without or with little training.

As an employer, do you remember how much money you pour into recruiting and training every year? Besides, the costs of wasted resources and low productivity are not a small amount as well. Vocational Educational Stream is the solution for these problems in your business.

The world’s needs and demands in Vocational Education

Vocational training covers a wide range of careers and industries. Developing and emerging economies have seen a shift of employment from agriculture to such higher income industries as Construction, Manufacturing, Health, Management, etc. Workers can’t earn higher pay and benefit without Vocational Education. Moreover, the world economy in general and each country’s economy in particular couldn’t achieve sustainable development without qualified, gratified and skilled labor force.

Benefits of Vocational Education?

Vocational Education helps people to perform better in their jobs as they acquire of a great learning experience. Working professionals get a chance to sharpen their skills while making money.

Vocational education and training is a sort of introduction as it gets employees ready for the workplace which comes in handy while performing various tasks.

Due to the nature of the skills it imparts, a student doesn’t consider it a futility as compared to conventional education.

Vocational Education as the term itself denotes that the students are specialized and therefore they have more chances of employment as compared to others. Many students who are in a dilemma whether they should attend College or not, Vocational education really opens a completely new path.

It makes an individual a responsible and independent person whereas those who study regular courses lack in this sphere.

The career of one’s own choice is one of the major benefits of this made of education. A vast majority of people are caught in the wrong jobs because they were in it for the sake of a job, money, lack of alternative and professional compromise whereas an individual pursuing Vocational Education is already pursuing his dream job.

This type of education is a great asset to the economy. Our government need not import foreign technicians on higher wages as our own can do the required work.

Majority of Vocational Skills are applicable all over the world and these create employment opportunities in foreign countries.

Technical programs develop the economy by bridging the demand and supply gap with highly skilled workers. It also gives students the opportunity to take marketable skills from the classroom directly into the working world.

Better Vocational Education also attracts foreign investment and foreign exchange in the form of foreign conglomerate and foreign students.

Another benefit is that Hands-on work activities allow direct application of acquired knowledge.

And finally, Government must live up to their commitment to create more Vocational and Skills Development course to help students combine their qualifications with valuable on the job training. University Collages offer plenty of opportunities to different types of students with different types of learning styles.

Retired Wine Commander Malinda Wijenayake

CEO / Director University College of

Ratmalana