Vocational careers not only seeing an increase in demand for skilled workers, they’re increasingly viable career options in today’s economy. As more and more white-collar jobs are sent overseas or eliminated due to efficiency improvements and automation, jobs that require on-site presence and specialized skills are often the most protected from the recent economic downturn.
Vocational Careers Require the Right Degree
Vocational and trade schools are a great way to specialize in the field of your choice and start your career quickly. Find the school and career that’s best for your from our featured schools.
Featured Automotive Mechanic Schools & Related Programs
- Westwood College: Denver North (Denver CO)
Lincoln College of Technology: West Palm Beach
Featured Cosmetologist Schools & Related Programs
- Virginia College: Biloxi
The Euphoria Institute: Green Valley
Vocational Career Paths
Vocational careers cover a range of skills, abilities, and industries. Here, we’ll look at some of the vocational careers that are the most popular.
Auto mechanics and technicians are the men and women responsible for keeping our cars running smoothly and repairing damage.
Contractors and construction managers build and repair all sorts of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings and structures.
Woodworkers use a variety of hand and power tools to craft everything from fine wood sculptures and musical instruments to cabinets and furniture.
Another large vocational field is cosmetology and hair care. Hairdressers and barbers cut, trim, shampoo, and style hair for their clients. While barbers traditionally focus on male clients and may also shave and provide scalp treatments, hairdressers and stylists often cater to female clients, offering coloring and styling advice as well.
Some vocations revolve around humans, while others revolve around pets and animals. Animal care and service workers, for instance, help us keep our pets clean, healthy, and well-behaved. Within this field are animal trainers, who can help train all sorts of animals from teaching Fido basic obedience to helping horses become accustomed to riders to perfecting the performance of a show dog. Animal groomers, on the other hand, help to maintain a pet’s health and appearance. Though not medically trained like a vet, groomers can help promote well-being by not only keeping pets clean and well-kept, but also by offering caretaking and nutritional tips to their clients.
Salaries For Vocational Careers
The median hourly wage for auto mechanics and technicians is just under $17 an hour, and the majority of mechanics work full 40-hour work weeks, putting the median annual wage just under $34,000. The majority earn between $24,000 and $44,000 annually. Mechanics working for the local governments (often servicing fleet and maintenance vehicles) earn the highest median wage, at just over $20 per hour, while those working at auto dealerships earn the second-highest at $19.61 per hour.
Contractors and construction managers will earn widely varying salaries depending on their specific industry, their location, and their experience, but the median annual wage for the position is just under $80,000 per year, with most earning between $60,000 and $107,000. The majority of those in this position, just over 60%, are self-employed.
Woodworkers, similarly, will see a wide range of salaries depending on the specialty: cabinetmakers and bench carpenters earn median hourly wages of around $14, and machine operators and setters earn median hourly wages of about $12. The highest ten percent of cabinetmakers earn over $21 per hour.
The median wage for hairdressers, barbers, and cosmetologists is around $11 per hour, with most earning between $9 and 15 per hour. Most work full 40-hour work weeks, putting the annual salary range for most in the field at between $18,000 and 30,000 per year.
Animal caretakers, including groomers and trainers, earn a median salary of around $19,000, with the top 10% earning over $31,000.
Education For Vocational Careers
Most employers of auto mechanics and technicians view the completion of a vocational training program as the best preparation for the job. Programs are available through a variety of institutions, including community and junior colleges and technical institutions.
Not long ago, contractors and construction managers required little to no formal education: most learned their trades by apprenticing or training with other skilled tradespeople. However, as the construction industry has grown more complex, more employers are seeking workers with formal training. Programs in construction management or construction technology are becoming increasingly common. And there are schools that offer full four-year degrees in construction management or construction science.
Woodworkers require little formal education, but a great deal of on-the-job practical training. Students in high school seeking to enter the field should take any woodworking training classes offered, as well as math and computer science – in order to be able to better use the advanced equipment used in the field. Some woodworkers build on their skills by completing programs at technical schools or community colleges as well.
Hairdressers and barbers must be licensed, and the licensing process requires a high school diploma or GED, and completion of a state-licensed barber or cosmetology school. These programs are often about nine months in length and culminate with either a certificate or associate’s degree. Certain positions within the industry, such as manicurists and skin-care specialists, may require less training.
Animal care workers need at least a high school diploma or GED, and some positions require further training. Animal trainers often require not only a great deal of experience with the animals they train, but also education at community colleges, vocational schools, or within training programs at stables or other animal care facilities.
Featured College Degree Information for Vocational Careers
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Schools and Education Information for Career as a Cosmetologist
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School and Program Information in Vocational Careers
Vocational Career Outlook
Auto mechanics and technicians are expected to see relatively slow growth in the coming years, at around five percent. However, a high number of expected retirements in the field make job prospects very good, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those with formal training and experience have the best prospects, as some employers report having difficulty finding workers with appropriate skills.
Contractors and construction managers will find a mixed bag in terms of employment projections. While the BLS offers strong projections of 17 percent growth, this field is strongly tied to the economy and the housing market. However, those that specialize in home repair as well as new construction should continue to find employment in the right markets.
Woodworkers will see modest growth, of around six percent, in the coming years. Increased automation of wood products limits the number of new jobs being created. However, highly-skilled and well trained workers will find excellent job prospects, as there are not as many workers going into the field with the proper skill set as there are jobs.
Hairdressers and stylists will have the highest employment growth within the personal appearance field at 20 percent, while barbers will see slightly lower growth at about 12 percent. Job prospects should be good, particularly for those with formal training and licensure, as large numbers of workers from this field tend to transfer to other occupations.
Positions for animal care workers are expected to grow at a rate around 21 percent in the coming years, as the companion pet population is expected to continue to increase. Job opportunities for most positions should be excellent. Those who can be flexible in schedule and mobile in their services – dog groomers or trainers who can do house calls, for instance – will find particularly strong prospects.
Vocational careers can be a great way to kick-start you working life without spending the time necessary to complete a college degree. Think about what it is you want to do with your life, and whether or not you want the expense of a degree.
