Skills-based career education or vo-tech (for vocational and technical) education is not only finally coming into its own and but IS also moving up the food chain to meet the needs of the career-minded. For-profit schools, often reaching critical mass under the umbrella of publicly traded consolidators, have been instrumental in this change. For example, these schools now span Certificate programs in specialties such as medical assisting; AS and BS degrees in visual communications, fashion design, and network engineering; Masters’ degrees in education administration and psychology; and MBAs.

Vocational or commercial education used to mean going to a special high school or taking a curriculum devoted to having a job upon graduation rather than going to college. Individuals headed for jobs repairing automobiles, building houses or working as a secretary were the typical participants. They took courses like wood shop, auto shop, typing and shorthand. After graduation, there were post-high school vocational schools that taught television repair and telephone installation. For women, the well-known Katherine Gibbs school trained assistants to many of the top executives in top companies. Hospitals turned out registered nurses in their own two-year in-house programs.

The world of vocational training has change, however. In Texas, for example, the state expanded the accreditations it would accept from out-of-state, higher education providers in 1999 – and there has been a near-explosion of schools entering the market since then. Texas has been particularly diligent in putting tough standards in place for these schools. Most of these schools are opening in conveniently located office complexes rather than on campuses. Most offer Internet-based courses in their programs. One of the biggest barriers for these institutions - transferability of credits to traditional universities - is diminishing. In Dallas, for example, agreements have been worked out with several of the major players and the Dallas County Community College District.

This is an interesting and very positive change. Today’s students have an opportunity to obtain quality career-oriented education for a vast array of fields from degree-granting colleges and universities. These schools provide a much-needed focus on workplace readiness and are measured by the number of graduates that are working in their chosen fields at or shortly after graduation. The curriculums often include specific guidance on career management and on finding a job. With the growth of career-focused education in these for-profit schools, it is to be hoped that our traditional universities will be able to allocate more resources to intellectual pursuits and developing the top minds of our society.

The paradigm shift, as one Director of Education at a school here in Dallas pointed out, is from teaching a student about a subject (e.g. biology) and instead teaching a student not only subject matter but also how to be a professional in the field (e.g. a biologist). What a great option for developing the workforce of the future!

About Author
Paula Asinof is a broadly experienced talent management executive focused on business leadership development of executives, high-potential managers and key professionals. She is particularly distinguished by her ability to identify and develop talent. Throughout her career, she has helped individuals, subordinates and even peers to recognize their unique capabilities, to position themselves as “A” players and to become prouder, stronger and more valuable contributors to their organizations.