|
Welcome to the International Skeptics Forum, where we discuss skepticism, critical thinking, the paranormal and science in a friendly but lively way. You are currently viewing the forum as a guest, which means you are missing out on discussing matters that are of interest to you. Please consider registering so you can gain full use of the forum features and interact with other Members. Registration is simple, fast and free! Click here to register today. |
29th December 2020, 03:05 PM | #1 |
Graduate Poster
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,047
|
Vocational education
Does it get the respect it deserves these days ?
|
29th December 2020, 03:41 PM | #2 |
Nitpicking dilettante
Administrator Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Berkshire, mostly
Posts: 57,668
|
I don't know; does it? Do you have any specific comments in mind?
FWIW, I'm currently doing a vocational course in photography. |
__________________
The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts.Bertrand Russell Zooterkin is correct Darat Nerd! Hokulele Join the JREF Folders ! Team 13232 Ezekiel 23:20 |
|
30th December 2020, 02:26 PM | #3 |
In the Peanut Gallery
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 54,892
|
I work in that area (specifically with apprentices and trainees) in Australia. I’m seeing an increasing number of older people and people with degrees and higher commencing apprenticeships. They see great futures in becoming a qualified electrician, plumber or carpenter. So in that sense, I will say yes.
On the other hand, we are facing current and future skill shortages in Australia, which shows that while we have a robust and technically advanced vocational education system here, not enough school leavers are taking this pathway. My hope is that school-based apprenticeships, where students in years 11 and 12 actually start a part-time apprenticeship, will bridge this gap. Numbers are increasing each year. (The Brits stole this idea off us a few years ago, and it seems to be working well there too). |
__________________
A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject. Sir Winston Churchill |
|
30th December 2020, 03:36 PM | #4 |
Penultimate Amazing
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: The Antimemetics Division
Posts: 69,914
|
|
30th December 2020, 03:42 PM | #5 |
Professional Nemesis for Hire
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Home.
Posts: 11,992
|
Assuming you're for vocational education, this has been a recurrent theme for many a decade.
Care to elaborate why it's pertinent to you right now? |
30th December 2020, 03:59 PM | #6 |
Penultimate Amazing
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 12,511
|
It won't matter; threads in Education die young unless they are about grammar rules.
There was a pendulum effect going on. Some people stopped favoring vocational ed in the U.S., feeling instead everyone should be on a college track vs. focusing on a trade from about age 16 onward. That was in about the early '60s. Education has a way of completely revamping itself in mutually exclusive ways every 20 years or so. Education for trades had a resurgence. I'm not sure where it stands now. |
30th December 2020, 04:39 PM | #7 |
In the Peanut Gallery
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 54,892
|
When I last looked several years ago, the US did not have a strong apprenticeship system, with most tradespeople being completely trained in trade schools and/or polytechnics. 600,000 apprentices out of a workforce of 157 million (0.3%) compared with 250,000 out of a workforce of 12 million (2%) in Australia.
I think this is a real weakness. Someone in Australia can obtain, for example, a carpentry qualification without an apprenticeship, but probably won’t get work in that area. Practical experience is extremely important in my view. |
__________________
A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject. Sir Winston Churchill |
|
31st December 2020, 12:25 PM | #8 |
Penultimate Amazing
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 12,511
|
|
1st January 2021, 03:41 PM | #9 |
Graduate Poster
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,047
|
It's important to me because there are opportunities I got in the 90's which don't seem to be there for the young now.
Everyone is different. Not everyone is cut out for the same thing. I've done OU stuff I've done electronics I've done engineering courses. The courses I enjoyed most were hands on and involved making things. Some opportunities seem to be missing from education in the UK these days. |
2nd January 2021, 11:12 AM | #10 |
Forum ¾-Wit Pro Tem
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,214
|
Pretty much my thoughts. Our high school district has two schools at present, but plans are to close one (the larger, more rural, campus) and consolidate all students into the other older campus. There is a grass-roots effort to convince the school board to consider making the larger campus into a vocational focused school rather than closing it.
|
__________________
I have met Tim at TAM. He is of sufficient height to piss on your leg. - Doubt 10/7/2005 - I'll miss Tim. Aristotle taught that the brain exists merely to cool the blood and is not involved in the process of thinking. This is true only of certain persons. - Will Cuppy |
|
Thread Tools | |
|
|