Before enrolling in any vocational training course, you will need to determine what vocation you want to start training for. This may require a visit to a career counselor or an advisor at the school; if you are enrolled in high school, consider visiting a guidance counselor to help figure out what careers might interest you. Once you have a good idea which careers you are interested in pursuing, you will need to do a bit of research into that career to figure out what the typical qualifications are. The vocational training course you choose should fulfill most, if not all, of the requirements for the job.
Some vocations require certification, so the vocational training course you choose should prepare you for such certification. A school may or may not give you the opportunity to complete the certification as part of the coursework, but that coursework should prepare you to take any certification exams you will need to pass in order to become qualified for a job. Read vocational training course descriptions carefully to figure out what each course will teach you and how it is relevant to the field you want to enter.
Whenever possible, choose schools that are accredited. This means the school has undergone the accreditation process and has been found to offer a quality education that is respected by potential employers as well as other educational institutions. Avoid non-accredited institutions, as they may hurt your chances of securing employment after you complete coursework. Be sure to read about the instructors who will be teaching any vocational training course you choose; these instructors should be knowledgeable and have plenty of experience in the field you hope to enter. You will also need to tour the campus whenever possible to ensure the school has all the appropriate equipment and tools at the disposal of students. Make sure all machines are up-to-date and relevant to the industry.
If you want to work for a specific employer, be sure to contact that business or company to find out what qualifications they prefer. A representative from the company may even be able to recommend a particular vocational training course that will fulfill the requirements necessary for employment. Talking to current employees of that company can also reveal training options you may not have considered previously. In some cases, you may not need outside training at all; the company may offer an apprenticeship or on-the-job training instead.
