Vocation Educational Training Programs - Term Paper Example

VOCATIONAL EDUCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMS Student’s Name Institution Chapter 1 1.0Abstract Considerable amount of attention has been directed towards workers with fewer skills in the workplace. According to Baylis and Smith 2000, workers with fewer skills are faced with all sorts of challenges from social to economic changes. Companies are therefore obliged to offer internal training programs so as to provide candidates with the chance to gain the basic skills required by the company. The key component of Vocational Educational Training programs and knowledge system is to come up with solutions for future implications within an organization. It is therefore mandatory for a company to first examine why it needs a specific training program and which kind of skills it is going to offer. Moreover companies are advised to analyze the strategic steps they should take in financing these programs. The education and training programs at the work place tend to consume a lot of money since there are basic resources and qualified personnel needed for the programs to be effective. The financial aid required depends on the kind of training being offered whether it is basic or broad. On the other hand, companies also need to look into how policymakers and investors can support the education programs within their companies. Thus it is essential to have a clear understanding of the importance of including workers in an adult learning program that surpasses what one learnt in primary or secondary level. Now and again companies have partnered with educational institutions to provide employee based education curriculum. This strategy has proved to be rather effective for companies and their employees in terms of revenue and skills. Keywords: Vocational Educational Training, skills, challenges, company. 1.1Introduction Vocational Education Training programs rely on several concepts and frameworks in order to be successful. The programs are driven by the political, social and economic structure of a given country. Consequently most companies will identify the most suitable models that will be effective in the workforce competence and opportunities of employees. Thus a flexible national policy and standards are put in place to enable companies meet the international workforce requirements and skills (Baylis and Smith, 2000). Workplace training and education programs can be defined as programs that are integrated together and provide instructions that are able to equip workers with information and skills for effective performance of the company. These programs within the workplace are normally sponsored by the managerial system within the company or outside investors. Therefore the education and training program in the workplace should be structured in a way that it gives workers firsthand experience and practical needed in the company. Therefore most business enterprises provide their labor force with a wide range of basic and technical skills that suit their business to enable the business to compete favorably in the global economy. Thus vocational education and training such as internships, fundamental marketing and managerial skills and on the job professional skills which give new employees extensive labor market experience (Ball and John 2002). Chapter 2 1.3Scope and Discussion My work environment which is a beauty therapy business enterprise provides vocational training and education in specific areas of the business. Managers in the head office ensure that before employment an individual displays specific expertise in their occupation. In partnership with specialists and highly qualified consultants the company provides vocational training programs in; business management, customer care services, massage therapy, hairstyling and treatment, make-up, beauty and nail care. Each branch of the company offers training to new recruits at the same time and location depending on an employee’s field of specialization. 1.4 Objectives The main objectives of these vocational training is to equip the beauty therapists with the practical skills which meet the modern day beauty demands from customers. The programs also provide an opportunity whereby employers get a chance to familiarize themselves with the new recruits. Additionally, the vocational training at the beauty therapy center, enable the workers to be up to date on how to use modern day equipments and technology within the work place. Below are some of the fields within my work place that receive Vocational Educational Trainings. Business management Each manager within the fourteen branches countrywide is required to undergo an annual vocational training in my work place. As a manager in one of the branches, we are equipped with knowledge and skills to meet the immediate needs of the workers and customers in the market place. Vocational training in this field, offers an individual the chance to gain strong managerial skills and communication skills for the internal and external management of the business. Customer care services At my work place each employee has to undergo a customer care vocational training. This kind of program is put in place to allow the employee to gain real experiences in team work, communication and negotiation skills. The training takes a period of about two to three months with trainees learning how to identify and meet the needs of any customer that walks in the beauty therapy shop. Massage therapy Trainees undergo technical training and learn the basic coordination skills in the output of a good massage session. Customized training consultants teach the trainees on how to handle a client and give them a relaxed and quality service. Hair styling and treatment Trainees get a practical feel of what they know about hair. The vocational program introduces trainees to different ways on how to treat and style different types of hair textures. On the other hand they are equipped with knowledge on the wide variety of hair products and how each one of them works. Make-up Vocational training to make up artists enables them to learn of new techniques and the current trending face products. Trainees are encouraged to be dynamic and creative in this field without holding back their potential. Consultants educate trainees on how to treat different types of skins and which products are suitable for a specific kind of face. Beauty and nail care Trainees acquire knowledge from specialists on how to advice customers on improving and maintaining a positive physical image. Moreover, basic and technical education programs are put in place to impact the trainees with the necessary knowledge needed when handling different clients and their needs. 1.5 Effects of the changing nature of Vocational Educational Training programs. There have been several changes within the economic and social settings that have affected the delivery of these vocational training within the work place. The impacts of social and economic shortcomings influence the vocational training at the beauty therapy enterprise internal and external activities. The challenges will either affect the enterprise operations or the relationship established between workers and customers. Some of the most outstanding changes that have impacted the business include; increased competition from similar businesses, lack of enough financial aid to support the programs, changes in the economic growth, government red tape and the gap between employees’ preferences with employers needs (Andersen et al, 1995). The challenges faced by the delivery system of vocational training in my work place arise from; Accessing a reliable and effective financial aid. Financial aid include an adequate amount of incentives needed for the program to be successful and capture both employers’ and employees’ attention. The financial incentives include; direct and indirect subsidies, tax and a shared responsibility in acquiring an equal cost sharing technique between the government and the business. With the government policy issuing an estimated amount of money for the running of these vocational training my workplace has failed to successfully has access to these funds. This makes it rather difficult for trainees at my workplace to receive the vocational training which at the end of the day works to their disadvantage. With the national and international development councils making it compulsory for workers to acquire vocational training prior to employment, financial constraints continue to make it difficult for workers in my workplace to undergo some of the trainings. Changes arising from economic growth Fluctuations in the economy pose a challenge to the business enterprise since the company fails to establish a common training network for current and new employees. Thus some employees are forced to work without any form of vocational training which in turn affects the performance output of employees’ skills and expertise. Moreover any negative economy changes has become a huge obstacle for my work place to meet the new literacy demands to meet the demands of customers and for the company to compete favorably with other companies. Thus the business enterprise does not meet the constructional framework as advocated by the national and international development policies. By not meeting the national standards that are endorsed for quality vocational training programs, the educational and training programs delivered in fall short of the required standards. Additionally workers skills are not well assessed thus producing poor services to the clients. The gap between employers’ and employees’ preference The workplace vocational training and education is designed in a way that it is able cater for both employers and employees needs. This kind of vocational training ensures that there is effective and less costly for the company. However if employers are less involved in the learning and vocational training process workers will consequently fail to engage in the program thus degrading the delivery techniques used in the programs. The bridge between employer and employee interest in the field has seen the company fail in adopting current skills needed in the beauty therapy industry. Moreover such a challenge leads to a less contractual framework that discourages investors and employees from contributing effectively to the productivity of the company. Without a clear constructional framework trainee rights and obligations are not observed thus incidents of exploitation tend to occur time and again. This kind of occurrences has discouraged many of the workers in the business from taking part in the vocational training programs thus rendering it ineffective. Australia keeps experience a wide variety of inevitable changes when it comes to vocational education training programs. These changes are mainly due to the pressure put on companies to provide vocational trainings that contribute to the economic development of the country. The numerous and diverse changes are intended to help companies meet the emerging current and future needs in the country. These changes are accompanied with a constant dynamic National Training Framework that keeps changing all the time. These changes have impacted employees at my work place either negatively or positively depending on specific kind of change. It has become considerably hard for the company to consistently meet keep up with the requirements of the National Training packages while meeting the needs of every employee learning abilities. The introduction of new training packages has drained the resources and financial investments put in running the business. Thus increasing the stress levels experienced by both the employee and employer, resulting to a poor performance output in the company. Integrating new technology to the training programs has been strenuous for the managerial team and the workers. The delivery mode and assessment of the program is complicated by the unfamiliar technology system that needs to be introduced in the training program for already existing workers. Incorporating the resources needed for the training and getting qualified personnel to indulge workers with the new technology continues to pose a big challenge for workers at my workplace. On the other hand the primary and secondary education acquired by workers, does not enable the workers to have the required technical abilities in embracing the new technologies introduced. Competence based training These kinds of training are offered to workers at the beauty therapy shop so as to enhance quality service provisions to customers. A CBT program is a collection of knowledge, skills and attitudes by learning and undergoing instructional training. To make competence based training a successful program at my work place, has been quite a challenge since the methodologies employed tend to differ with those provided within the National framework. Maintaining the standards, levels, qualifications and organizational arrangements has been very costly. The cost ineffective challenges arise from the poor training resources and under qualified staff members. The strategies employed will therefore target workforce group that has gained a vast experience in the work environment. 1.6 Definition of best practices The identified changes work in several ways to fore see the enactment of best practices in vocational education training. Best practices can be defined as the most effective ways in which a company develops effective technical and vocational education training programs embracing the national training framework while representing workers in the best way possible within an industry. The changes can be identified as one of the best practices in an industry. This is because the changes mainly target an improved working environment that meets the demands of national and international industrial and employment environment. On the other hand the dynamic changes in policy framework, focuses on improving the national-socio economic development as a general field in the employment field. The changes work as additional requirements that are needed in stimulating government policies that place the country’s economy on the globe. Moreover, improved vocational education and training programs facilitate the production of high performing workers and enterprises thus creating opportunities for worker to acquire further knowledge in their occupation. The constant changes, has worked positively for workers in my work place as most of them are able to display high quality services and sustained industrial growth. However best practices in the company requires maximum cooperation between workers and the employers. It is for this reason that as a manager in the beauty industry I work hand in hand with my juniors to see the impact with which these vocational training has on their performance. 1.7 Critical reflection Vocational education and training programs continue to support companies and organizations as one of the most fundamental and effective human resources needed in the work place. These programs continue to be an effective tool in developmental strategies which countries need to adopt so as to be able to compete favorable in international markets. Vocational training programs motivate the industrialization and modernization of the technical skills possessed by workers. The publishment by Access Economics 2003, states that national development of a country is dependent on the manpower skills enforced to employees countrywide. That is why countries such as Australia, Germany, Hungary and many other African nations have opted to support and encourage vocational education training in organizations. Among the most vital characteristics of these programs is its focus on globalization. Vocational education training, seeks to create an environment that concentrates on the deployment of practical skills among workers. Its flexible nature has made it possible for workers to acquire the training and learning at any level of their working experience period. This has made it possible for individuals from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds, therefore preparing them for future employment opportunities. Vocational education training programs have also empowered workers to have access to sustainable livelihoods by having industrial skills needed in the current and future market place (Bentely, 1998). However problems arise when there is a mismatch in the needs of an organization and the training skills provided. Since most of these programs tend to be costly, many companies will provide training skills that do not match up to the qualities required by the specific industry. National policy makers need to support these programs by sponsoring companies in training their employees. The VET employee’s guild offers diverse work experience that is constant changing. Workers gain a lot more other than responsibilities but also learn how to interact with colleagues and customers in the work environment. It is therefore important for industries to carry out a critical evaluation on the qualification demand required by the government. Further assessment should be carried out to identify the benefits of VET programs to an organization while analyzing performance requirements and competency qualification skills needed for trainees.VET has created greater emphasis on worker to perform much better through the training and educational programs they are put under. The amounts of people involved in vocational training programs are on the rise thus creating a highly competitive environment for nations and companies in the same industry. The value of vocational training continues to grow rapidly since many companies are adopting this strategy. 1.8 Conclusion The trainings allow workers to adapt to new work environments without having any difficulties whatsoever. Therefore the VET is an adequate established body which encourages the adoption of new skills that are an added advantage to the social and economic status of a company and the nation. Notably policy makers need to advice stakeholders on need to come up with a permanent solution that will equip both trainees and providers with the skills and knowledge to help the meet the changing demands of these programs. More attention should be shifted towards techniques that workers, education facilitators and policy makers need to adopt in order to cope with changing trends. The introduction of new apprenticeship has seen more young people enroll in training schools that offer vocational education and skills. Additionally vocational programs have acted as a platform for people from remote areas to access; reading literacy skills, numeracy skills and break the barriers of learning new things. Thus the range of supporting principles and measures need to be implemented for an effective and successful vocational enterprise. Reference list Access Economics. (2003). Future Demand for Vocational Education and Training. Andresen, L., Boud, D., & Cohen, R. (1995). Experience based learning. Understanding adult education and training. Sydney, Australia: Allen & Unwin. Ball, K. and John, D. (2002). Issues affecting skill demand and supply in Australia’s education and training sector. NCVER, Adelaide. Baylis, J., & Smith, S. (2000). The globalisation of world politics. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press. Bentley, T. (1998). Learning beyond the classroom: Education for a changing world. London, England: Routledge Falmer. Read More