| Blending knowledge with applied skills, vocational | | | | adding independence and flexibility to an already |
| workers form the backbone of our economy. | | | | attractive career.o If surrounding themselves with |
| Whether they're creating homes or repairing vehicles, | | | | beautiful flowers wasn't appealing enough, one-third of |
| the work of these individuals is essential. If you have | | | | floral designers are also self-employed. The Bureau of |
| natural skills or simply an interest in pursuing a | | | | Labor Statistics predicts the need for many new |
| vocational career, consider yourself lucky. Training | | | | replacement workers in this field, and average hourly |
| programs for these careers are usually fairly | | | | pay was nearly $12 in 2007.o Heating, ventilation, air |
| affordable, and the high demand for qualified workers | | | | conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) technicians |
| in many vocational fields can make your job search a | | | | should have excellent job prospects through 2016. |
| cinch. | | | | Median annual earnings approach $40,000 in this field |
| What's Involved in a Vocational Career? | | | | and many HVACR employers offer company vans, |
| One of the best words to describe the range of | | | | tools, and uniforms as well as health insurance and |
| career paths that fall under the vocational category is | | | | pension plans. |
| diverse. Whether they're driving an eighteen-wheeler, | | | | How Can I Get Trained to Enter a Vocational Career? |
| teaching an aerobics class, or installing a hot water | | | | Training for vocational careers differs from occupation |
| heater, vocational workers get to use a variety of skills | | | | to occupation. In general the training requirements fall |
| on the job. While it's difficult to generalize among the | | | | into one of the following categories:o On-the-Job |
| wide array of vocational careers, most are hands-on | | | | Training. In fields such as child care and truck driving |
| and many involve direct contact with clients. | | | | some employers may offer on-site training to new |
| What are the Benefits of a Vocational Career? | | | | hires.o Certificate Programs. For topics ranging from |
| Individuals employed in a vocational career enjoy a | | | | aviation technology to welding, these training programs |
| myriad of benefits, depending on their area of | | | | can usually be completed in six months to one year.o |
| expertise. Consider some of the following examples:o | | | | Associate's & Bachelor's Degrees. In some of the |
| Due to the ever-increasing number of vehicles on the | | | | more skilled vocational professions, such as diesel |
| road, employment of auto mechanics is expected to | | | | mechanics or fitness training, you may need to |
| grow by fourteen percent through 2016. Average | | | | complete an associate's or bachelor's degree to be |
| hourly wages for mechanics topped $17.50 in 2007. In | | | | considered for the most competitive positions, |
| addition to steady earnings and good job prospects, | | | | vocations, vocational careers, jobs, and careers. |
| skilled mechanics can go into business for themselves, | | | | |