FAQs: What are the benefits of taking a vocational course?

Vocational courses are career-specific, this means the course relates to a specific area of employment or industry sector. They tend to be practical and skills-focused, and many include work-related projects or work experience.

The courses can roughly be divided into two. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is during your employment to enhance your skills and is most beneficial to those who have identified a specific skills gap and want to bring themselves up to speed. While postgraduate study can provide a way in to a particular occupation and for some is a necessity. When weighing up the benefits of embarking on a vocational course it is good to research the area and discover what your potential employer would prefer.

For more information, see professional and vocational qualifications.