The vocational route

Gauri Chhabra

Almost two decades ago, vocational education was only limited to specific trades such as an automobile mechanic or welder and was, therefore, associated with the activities of lower social classes. But today, with a renewed focus on employability and economies demanding higher levels of skill, governments and businesses are increasingly investing in the future of vocational education. Vocational courses provide training and qualifications related to a specific job. In simple terms, a vocational training program is a skill-enhancing training course. Following are some of the vocational courses that you can take up after Class XII in science stream:

Live sound engineering

This is a two-year course that you can take up after Class XII with physics, chemistry and maths. Some institutes conduct their own entrance exams. The certificate course helps you learn the technical side of music & broadcast communications. Sound engineering technicians operate the equipment that record music and other audio tracks. Live Sound Engineers control the sound at Live events to produce the perfect blend of instruments and vocals. All instruments and vocals are different and have a distinct sound. A live sound engineer makes sure the sound can be heard with the same clarity in architecturally complex venues as it is heard in venues that have excellent acoustics. Live Sound Engineering is more than just plugging in some mics and amplifiers, and turning a few knobs. It involves an understanding of acoustical engineering as well as the creative talent to work with musicians to give them the desired sound. Every venue comes with its own challenges but a Live Sound Engineer's job is to play with acoustics and does justice to the musical performance. The job prospects in this field are very good and there are many big and small media houses that require such technicians for work.

Radiology Technicians

If you are interested in medicine and technology, you can go in for a one-year course after Class XII in Radiological Technology where you will study radiation physics, anatomy, physiology and pathology, radiotherapy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

As a radiological technologist, you will use X-rays to assess the internal parts of the body and assist doctors to diagnose illness and injury and run tests, such as CT scan, sonography, and MRI, etc.

These professionals explain procedures to patients, relax them for the tests, carry out tests, maintain equipment and document records. Radiological technology is significant in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and ulcers. Radiological technologists can find jobs in labs, hospitals, and diagnostic centers. Job profiles are X-ray technician, radiologist assistant, an ultrasound technician.

Automobile Industry

This course intends in making student efficient in handling all major systems of an automobile; handling of tools, servicing of vehicles, customer sales care and innovation, and development aspects. The safety aspects are introduced to make students more aware and alert when they are working in the workshops.  The skills imparted are to increase both technical knowledge as well as the professional skills of the students. CEDP Skill Institute of Mumbai offers well-crafted diploma course in automobile engineering for students passing 12th. After completing this course, you will be able to get into plum jobs in the industry 

Air Conditioning and Refrigeration  

The certificate course ranges from one to three years depending upon the institution. It intends to develop appropriate technical knowledge as well as the professional skills of the students. This course will enable them to understand the concepts and principals involved in working of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. The processes involved in testing, fault identification and repair procedures are taught.  The concepts involved in installing, commissioning, preventive maintenance and preparing estimates and costing are imparted. 

After the diploma, you will get employed in retail establishments, HVAC manufacturers, residential facilities and factories.

Electronics

This course aims to help students acquire knowledge of testing procedures of components and circuits by making use of different test instruments. The understanding of concepts and principles used in radio, audio, television and video system. Locating faults at the component level and at the stage level. This course will develop appropriate technical knowledge as well as the professional skills of the students so that they are equipped to take gainful employment in the said vocation.

GeoSpatial Technology 

Geospatial technology is using digital spatial data acquired from remotely sensed images, Photogrammetry techniques, and analysis by geographical information systems (GIS) and visualized on the computer screen or on paper through Geoengineering. This course focuses on developing professional education dealing with mapping and Geospatial production ensure that students obtain insight into Geospatial database concepts creating and implementing databases, spatial analysis, developing GIS applications, through both theoretical concepts and supported by extensive practical exercises with hands-on training.

Foundry

This course aims to introduce students to the foundry industry and provide a clear understanding to the students of the technical processes, design flow and the techniques that can be employed to realize effective designs using our latest toolkits. The student will learn about foundry drawing, molding techniques, raw materials used, melting and pouring and cast metal techniques and so on. This course aims to develop appropriate technical knowledge as well as the professional skills of the students so that they are equipped to take gainful employment in the said vocation.

Vocational courses are in vogue these days primarily due to the fact that they hit the nail on the head. They make you strike a lucrative deal- with a career that is on the fast track.

Electrical Technology

After successfully completing two years (+2 stage vocational course), the student would have acquired relevant, appropriate and adequate technical knowledge together with professional skills and competencies in the field of Electrical Technology. The basic concepts in engineering drawing, the functioning of electrical motors and appliances, measuring and testing instruments and electrical circuits will be taught to increase competency level of the students so that they are equipped to take gainful employment in the said vocation.

Civil Engineering 

This course is envisaged keeping in mind the employment opportunities and activity profile of vocational students in civil engineering technology. The students will be exposed to competencies such as preparing, reading and interpreting drawing pertaining to civil engineering and allied works. Knowledge of various types of construction materials and their characteristics, construction techniques, supervisory skills, principles and methods of surveying, estimating and costing, skills in communication along with the use of computers in the field of civil engineering will be instilled.