I’m sure for a wide variety of students my age, our high school experience was dominated by a never-ending focus on preparing for college applications. The endless SAT tests, AP credits and college counseling all tell us there is only one real path forward after high school: college or university. But there has always been other choices. One of these choices, which has increasingly disappeared from the public eye, is vocational education.
For much of the 20th century, vocational education was a normal part of the American high school experience. Students could learn trades like carpentry, auto repair and electrical work while working towards a high school diploma. These shop classes taught students vocational skills that were immediately applicable after graduation for those not attending college.
Vocational education initially took off when the U.S. government began investing more in trade-centered programs, as the country was facing a lack of trade laborers despite its rapidly industrializing society. However, by the 2000s, that focus had shifted. While industry in America slowed, a new boom in the technology sector meant that many skilled jobs began to disappear while vocational programs were increasingly seen as a ‘dumping ground’ for academically unsuccessful children. Additionally, the passage of the No Child Left Behind Act meant that the main focus of vocational programs was being squeezed out of the competitive space.
It doesn’t need to be like this. A program in trades, such as cooking or woodworking, should be seen as a way to gain important life skills and should be given the respect and funding it deserves. The fact that many high school graduates feel unprepared for the demands of adulthood means that we need more of these programs that address real-world issues. Top-tier vocational programs should be afforded the same level of respect and funding as four-year colleges and universities. In fact, trade schools are now churning out blue-collar workers who make more than college graduates with higher-than-average incomes.
There are also examples of the success of these programs abroad. Both Germany and Switzerland have long possessed strong apprenticeship and vocational programs, producing highly skilled workers and maintaining strong industries in areas like automobiles and appliances. Reinvesting in vocational education would require thorough planning and long-term governmental policies. High schools should restart or expand existing vocational classes, with post-secondary trade schools also playing a key part in reinvigorating the system. Vocational education is not about leaving students in the dust — it is about providing students with an alternative avenue toward success.
