Should College Education Be Vocation-Oriented?

Due to the increased enrollment of college students in recent years, the total number of graduates coming out at the same time is such that many college graduates have difficulties in procuring jobs, especially when the economy is suffering slowdown. And then many scholars suggest that colleges should lay emphasis on vocational training by setting relative courses in the college curriculum so that graduates are more likely to be employed. Taking the employers’ requirement into consideration, that is, working experience, the suggestion seems reasonable. However, I think, even if universities become vocation-oriented, it can not serve well for the employment. Besides, the vocational orientation will do harm to the higher education.

Firstly, the suggestion seems to be based on the fact that new college graduates may have learned mountains of theories but lack practical abilities. In accord with this suggestion, if college students have received enough vocational training and gained experience in internship, they are likely to get employed. Admittedly, self-improvement is crucial for new graduates to hunt jobs. But the suggestion does not take into account job vacancies in the present. Though China’s economy keeps growing at a rate of about 9% in the recent and the number of jobs does increase, too many graduates coming out at a time will create great pressure for the job market. As an official stated, “the grand college enrollment plan is one of the main reasons for the current unemployment issue”. Therefore,even if college students have enough experience and skills, will they succeed in procuring jobs when there are no positions available at all?

Secondly, vocational orientation is to the detriment of the higher learning in the long term. Let us begin with the difference in goals between university and vocational training. As college students may decide to finish his studies after graduation or may continue at a higher level,university courses should thus provide both basic knowledge and a sound basis for further studies. In vocational training, the goals of a given course are distinct, that is, the course is designed to teach trainees basic knowledge and skills. In consequence, if universities are vocation-oriented, students at college can not get prepared in class for a higher level of learning. Predictably, the pyramid of higher learning will crumble if universities can not produce enough qualified students.

In conclusion, vocation-orientation may help improve graduates’ skills but it can not increase the number of available positions.The suggestion just offers a wrong remedy, and will do harm to the higher learning.