vocational

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "vocational" is correct and usable in written English.
It typically refers to an activity or activity-based knowledge in which someone has been trained, and typically applies to a specific job or field. For example, "She had completed a vocational course in welding and was now ready to enter the workforce."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Latham describes Coventry University College, founded in 2012 to provide part-time professional and vocational courses, as a "game changer", though some have been sceptical about the cut-price, "no frills" model: fees range from £4,500 to £6,000 a year, but students do not have access to the university library or sports facilities.

The Guardian

First, there is a straightforward snobbery about vocational skills.

The Guardian

That is, in countries where "clever kids" do academic subjects and "less clever kids" do vocational ones, the chance of poorer children going to university drops significantly.

The Guardian

We've lost the vocational ethos that had been the basis of professions like teaching.

The Guardian

In addition to our vocational training, we also offer fun away-day activities and workshops for your team, covering subjects such as cookery or wine appreciation.

The Guardian

By fiddling with league table criteria, schools are now rewarded for focusing on the EBacc subjects – a collection of GCSEs including science, a language and geography – and get less or no credit for success in vocational subjects.

The Guardian

A reduction in quality vocational education appears to correlate with increased youth unemployment.

The Guardian

The government answer will be that it opened a raft of university technical colleges – schools for 14- to 19-year-olds that combine highly specialised vocational training with academic qualifications.

The Guardian

However, if past form is anything to go by, the students who typically attend specialist vocational schools are those who were struggling academically, and so the school becomes a way of "selecting out" weak students from mainstream schools and placing them elsewhere.

The Guardian

Given that only 25% of the poorest fifth of students, as measured by neighbourhood deprivation, manage to gain a B average in English, maths and three other GCSEs, if the new "vocational A-levels" also have high entry requirements, then access to this route will be diminished for those who might benefit most.

The Guardian

If there is a compromise that might work, then in an ideal world all children of all abilities would do a blend of academic and vocational subjects.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing educational programs, use "vocational" to emphasize the practical, job-related skills taught, rather than purely theoretical knowledge.

Common error

Avoid using "vocational" when you mean "avocational". "Vocational" relates to a job or career, while "avocational" relates to hobbies or leisure activities.

Linguistic Context

The word "vocational" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something related to a vocation, occupation, or specific skill. According to Ludwig AI, it correctly and appropriately describes an activity or activity-based knowledge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vocational" functions as an adjective indicating a focus on skills and training directly applicable to a specific job or career. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, highlighting its relevance in distinguishing practical, job-oriented training from academic or theoretical education. With a neutral register, "vocational" finds frequent use in news media, business, and educational discussions, emphasizing its broad applicability and understanding. Alternative phrases include "career-focused", "skills-based", and "technical training".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

career-focused

Emphasizes the alignment of training with specific career paths.

career training

Focuses explicitly on training programs designed to prepare individuals for careers.

job-oriented

Highlights the direct relevance of skills to job requirements.

skills-based

Focuses on the acquisition and application of practical skills.

technical training

Specifies the type of training involved, focusing on technical skills.

practical education

Emphasizes the hands-on nature of the educational experience.

professional development

Focuses on advancement and growth within a profession.

trade-related

Relates specifically to skills and training for various trades.

workforce development

Addresses the broader development of skills for the workforce.

applied learning

Highlights the application of knowledge in real-world settings.

FAQs

How is "vocational" used in a sentence?

The adjective "vocational" describes training or education that prepares you for a specific job or career. For example: "She attended a vocational school to learn carpentry."

What's a good alternative to the word "vocational"?

Depending on the context, you can use "career-focused", "skills-based", or "technical training" as alternatives to "vocational".

Is it correct to say "vocational training"?

Yes, "vocational training" is a common and correct phrase. It refers to education that focuses on practical skills and knowledge needed for a specific job or trade.

What's the difference between "vocational" and "academic"?

"Vocational" education focuses on practical skills for specific jobs, while "academic" education is more theoretical and prepares students for higher education or general knowledge. They are often presented as different pathways, such as "academic or "vocational" pathways".