Top 11 vocational courses in India 2018

Not everyone wants to do the usual engineering, medical and other professional courses after their 12th standard. There are a few diplomas, degrees and certification programs you can take up instead. There are vocational courses even after 10th standard, but the choices are far less. There are some post graduate diplomas too. Parents should give their children a choice between professional courses or vocational training. The vocational courses make you employable in a field you like. Yes, don’t go by peer pressure and ask yourself what works for you. We outline the most popular vocational courses available, so you can pick the source that is closest to your heart.

Just remember that vocational courses are more up-to-date, less expensive, take much less time, and can be also be studied at your convenience, including online. Before you embark on a vocational course, we would advise you to read our blog post on How Career Guidance Can Shape Your Future. If you have already finished your college degree and want to know if you are employable, we would urge you to read our blog post: Will I get a job? Am I employable?. And if you are completely confused about picking the right management program, this post might help you.

Without further ado, here goes our list…

Information Technology

Yes, it’s the hip thing to do, and you must consider this before anything else because it’s future-proof. If you are qualified in tech, you can upgrade your skills for eternity and continue to be employable. There is only one downside to this. This field is very volatile. What is trending today might be old hat tomorrow. So skilling and reskilling is this field’s foremost requirement. If you like to be a student all your life and earn alongside, this is just the course for you. Vocational courses are on a number of topics. From network architecture to hardware/software support, software development and so on. Go through all the courses, take the help of a career counsellor as well and make an introspection on which course appears more likeable to you. If you succeed at this, you could become a Chief Information Officer or Systems Administrator to begin with.

Beauty & Fashion

There are more beauty salons per square feet than ever before. Take that to mean, intense competition. But then, that is everywhere, so that shouldn’t bother you. If you are the best and the greatest, nobody can steal your thunder. However, one simple hack can make you stand out from the crowd. Just narrow down your focus and do a course in one or more specialities like hair styling, electrolysis, cosmetology, aesthetics, and so on. You don’t have to only work or open a beauty salon. You can work with brands and production houses in television, films, advertising, fashion and product manufacturers.

Food

They say that the food industry is inflation-proof. However, take that with a pinch of salt. No profession is bad for professionals who wear their passion on their sleeves. By opting for this course, we assume that you made this decision from the heart. If you have, then there is nothing to stop you from making a big splash in the world of catering. From becoming a kitchen porter to a food processor to a bartender and kitchen assistant, your work will be seen, heard and sampled at events, parties, marriages and seminars.

Marketing

This is one evergreen field if you have the skill to sell an umbrella to an eskimo. You don’t have to lie, deceive or exaggerate. Marketing is all about identifying and creating a need in the market first, and fulfilling it later. Innovation and creativity are the hallmarks of a marketing job. And you don’t have to possess the gift of the gab. Your marketing prowess can show up in your media planning, copywriting and graphic designs as well.

Public Relations

The name says it all. You have to be good at speaking, writing and networking. If you are the perpetual gadfly who loves the company of people, this might just be the job for you. It’s not just what you speak or write but also your body language and interpersonal communication that counts. Such attributes are priceless as you could do PR for any business on the planet. If you don’t like being a publicist, you could become a radio jockey, a writer, a journalist or even a lawyer.

Emergency Response Management

More popularly known as disaster management, this is one emerging field that’s become a crucial wing in any government, private or even non-profit firm. The first to employ you is the National Disaster Management Authority. However, there are many others among corporates and NGOs who will hire you because emergencies can happen anywhere (office campuses, remote areas) and it’s no longer just the government’s responsibility.

Banking & Finance

If you are good at mathematics or have an analytical mind, this job is just right for you. With every country wired to the global marketplace, trained personnel in banking and finance are most sought after by governments, NGOs and multi-national corporations. No business is free from it, and therefore, your role will be crucial to them through time.

Physical education

Getting fit is the go-to mantra for not just individuals but also corporates today. With many employees facing health issues at a much younger age than a decade ago, companies are crafting wellness programs to keep their personnel from burning up. These could be due to unhygienic work surroundings or sedentary habits at the workplace and outside. To keep them fit, both mentally and physically, companies are spending money and time on their fitness. And when the companies don’t do this, you have to because you can work only if you are fit, mentally and physically. Even if it means seeking a counsellor, please do. There’s no shame in admitting that you are battling depression. It’s important that you are emotionally fit just as you are physically. Only then can you be a good sibling, child, worker and parent.

Electronics and electrical

When the world is going all automated and Wi-Fi, it’s no surprise that those who get trained in any form of electronics and electrical fields will be the most sought after. From electronic goods to home and office appliances, you have an entire world to cater to. That includes gadgets, gizmos, automobiles and CCTVs, to just name a few.

Game design & Computer Animation

This is an evergreen course that has always been in demand, even though its face has changed over time. From graphic design to computer animation to game design, there are so many opportunities to explore. Your job will not just be in demand by gaming companies but also film and television production houses, and advertising agencies.

Teaching & Training

There is an undergraduate bachelor’s degree in vocational education and training or a bachelor of career and technical education. You could either teach students in schools or become a trainer at corporate firms.

AND FINALLY…

Time is money and the younger you are, the far easier it is to learn something new. Therefore, if you feel that you should get a head start in your career, and don’t like current-day educational system, you can opt for a vocational course soon after your tenth standard too. However, we advise that you get your two years of collegiate education, and preferably in science (physics, chemistry and maths), because this background will be useful in any field you choose. Developing a scientific temper is crucial to understanding how the world was formed and your equation with it. Then again, this is just our opinion and it’s not etched in stone. When in doubt, go with your gut. Best of luck!

(Originally published at GoCheck)