Todays Vocational Schools: Corpus Christi TX
The history of vocational schools corpus christi can be traced way back to the early nineteenth century. Although Germany and England had already combined industrial wage work with classroom study in “Schools of Industry” of the late 18th century, America didn’t get on board until after the Civil War. The rapidly expanding industrial economy demanded an educated workforce, becoming the birth of trade schools in the United States. Since then, the organization and execution of vocational education has evolved into the 2-year state colleges and private trade schools you know today. Some of the major changes include:
Curriculum
Original trade school classes were designed to produce skilled manufacturers in a booming industrial society. Today, students are preparing for a variety of careers in the medical and healthcare field, business administration, welding and HVAC, cosmetology and more. Students can choose an area of study they are truly passionate about and earn the certifications to help them advance in their career.
Internships
While apprenticeships date all the way back to the middle ages, the idea sort of died with the advent of early vocational schools. The idea was that students would get the training they needed at school and then apply those skills once they got a job. Today, there has been a shift back to internships. Most vocational schools offer internships as a valuable part of the program to really prepare students for the workforce. Many careers demand internships, giving trade school students an edge over the job market competition.
Financial Aid
The history of scholarships dates back to the late 1600s. However, the aid given in the early 17th and 18th centuries was typically awarded to state college students. Vocational schools weren’t able to offer financial aid to students until much later. Today, students can enjoy scholarships, grants and other types of financial aid to help them achieve their educational goals.
Technology
Technological advances continually spur educational change. Today’s trade school students can watch interactive lessons from the comfort of home, submit assignments via email and join social media groups to discuss key classroom concepts. They’ve obviously come a long way from learning how to use a set of craftsman’s tools.
Reputation
Trade schools have undergone a constant evolution since their inception in the early 1900s. Upon arrival, they were an excellent way for young men in particular to learn valuable manufacturing and woodworking skills. As education evolved with our country, so too did vocational schools. Sometime in the 20th century, trade schools developed a certain reputation. In the 80s and 90s many 2-year schools emerged, making promises about high-paying careers and unlimited job options that they couldn’t necessarily keep. It caused vocational schools to gain an unfavorable reputation as a lesser quality education resulting in few job prospects. Since then, the educational pendulum has swung back to somewhere near where it was a couple centuries ago. Educators and students alike are realizing that the labor market needs skilled workers who know how to perform job-specific skills. A four-year college degree isn’t for everyone and today’s vocational schools corpus christi tx realize that.
