Vocational Education
Recently there has been a push in Belgium towards vocational education because the country is in need of more skilled workers. Vocational education in Belgium, like the rest of Europe is a part of the education system that prepares students for a career right out of high school. Although vocational training is one type of stream students can take, all school do not offer the same curriculum. Some schools may offer courses in service areas like daycare, geriatrics care, cosmetology, jewler or culinary arts while other schools may focus more on trades like electrical, construction, welding or engineering. By the end of their high school career students are able to work in their desired field without additional education and start to get paid as a trained employee without having to pursue further education. Students get valuable hands on training in the classroom, the education they get here will directly relate to the field in which they seek to be employed by the end of their schooling.
Some programs in the vocational education system allow students to take on part time studies while receiving training in their field of interest. This means students get hands on training with companies that could potentially hire them after graduation, while also receiving the practical training they need to be successful. When students wish to partake in this type of training the responsibility of teaching the student becomes that of the company or institution that takes the students. Although the students learns from the company a facilitator is still responsible for overseeing the students progress and proper training. This option becomes available after the second year of study at the age of 14 or 15.
Once students have completed their program of study they do not have to enter the labor market although they will have the skills necessary to do so. If they choose students can complete a seventh year of studies that will allow them to move into tertiary education in the technical stream.
Some programs in the vocational education system allow students to take on part time studies while receiving training in their field of interest. This means students get hands on training with companies that could potentially hire them after graduation, while also receiving the practical training they need to be successful. When students wish to partake in this type of training the responsibility of teaching the student becomes that of the company or institution that takes the students. Although the students learns from the company a facilitator is still responsible for overseeing the students progress and proper training. This option becomes available after the second year of study at the age of 14 or 15.
Once students have completed their program of study they do not have to enter the labor market although they will have the skills necessary to do so. If they choose students can complete a seventh year of studies that will allow them to move into tertiary education in the technical stream.
Praises and Critics
Many see vocational training as a way to train competent workers to be ready for employment right out of high school and in many countries this is the reality. Students choosing a vocational education receive training in a specific field of interest to them so that once they graduate they are able to get a job in their field of interest without further education. For instance a student studying to be an electrician will be able to fully wire a house by the time they graduate. Students in vocational studies have many options available to them so they can choose from a wide variety of careers. Part-time studies is also a great way for these students to get on site training and to possibly start making money while they are finishing school. Some students may be more interested in getting a job in their field of interest rather than take more general courses and this type of system is great for these students. These types of systems can also help reduce education after high school. In some countries students have to attend trade schools after high school to get training instead of going straight into the work force. This would reduce the educational costs to further educate these students for both individuals and governments.
Although vocational schools have some great features and advantages there are also some problems associated with this type of school in Belgium. According to the OECD students in these vocational schools are more likely to be weaker in core subjects especially math and literacy. This could be because of the focus on specific job training students and teachers may not put enough emphasis on these subjects even though there are still minimum achievements set by the government. Students in these programs are also placed into schools at age 12 and have little lateral movement once they have chosen this path. The OECD recommends waiting until the age of 14 to allow these students more time to choose which educational path because of this limited movement.
Although vocational studies carry less of a stigma in Europe than other parts of the world socio-economic factors still play a large role with students who chose this path. A separate study done in Belgium found that students B-streams (vocational education) were more likely to have one or both parents unemployed, were more likely to be from a migrant family and more likely to be from a disorganized neighborhood.
Although vocational schools have some great features and advantages there are also some problems associated with this type of school in Belgium. According to the OECD students in these vocational schools are more likely to be weaker in core subjects especially math and literacy. This could be because of the focus on specific job training students and teachers may not put enough emphasis on these subjects even though there are still minimum achievements set by the government. Students in these programs are also placed into schools at age 12 and have little lateral movement once they have chosen this path. The OECD recommends waiting until the age of 14 to allow these students more time to choose which educational path because of this limited movement.
Although vocational studies carry less of a stigma in Europe than other parts of the world socio-economic factors still play a large role with students who chose this path. A separate study done in Belgium found that students B-streams (vocational education) were more likely to have one or both parents unemployed, were more likely to be from a migrant family and more likely to be from a disorganized neighborhood.