Vocational education is a type of education, after completion of which a person is practically and theoretically prepared for work in a certain profession. It means that a certain professional qualifications have been mastered and there is possibility for further improvement in the relevant professional area.
There are three grades of vocational education:
- Vocational basic education,
- Vocational secondary education,
- Vocational higher education.
Altogether there are five levels of professional qualification.
Professional qualification of the 1st level:
This qualification may be obtained in vocational basic education programs. Such professions are usually learned by graduates of special schools (on the basis of basic education), students, who have graduated from Grade 9 and received the Achievement Sheet only (without Certificate), or young persons, who have not completed a basic education program (aged below 15 years). The title of such professions includes a word “assistant†or “workerâ€.
Professional qualification of the 2nd level:
This qualification may be obtained in vocational education programs and professional further education programs after graduation from Grade 9 (on the basis of basic education) or Grade 12 (on the basis of secondary education). Employees of this level are able to perform qualified executive tasks independently.
Professional qualification of the 3rd level:
This qualification may be obtained in vocational secondary education programs and professional further education programs after graduation from Grade 9 or Grade 12. Employees of this level have obtained a higher level theoretical education and have mastered higher level professional skills, they can independently perform qualified executive tasks, plan and organise performance of the above tasks.
Professional qualification of the 4th and 5th level can be obtained after completing higher education programs.
Vocational basic education and vocational education is offered by the following educational establishments:
Professional schools, Trade schools, Vocational schools as well as certain vocational secondary schools and professional secondary schools.
Vocational secondary education is offered by the following:
Vocational secondary school, professional secondary schools, trade secondary schools, choreography, arts and music secondary schools, technical schools and some colleges.
In order to learn more about a selected school, the level of professional qualification to be achieved students are invited to participate in information days or Open doors days. Such events usually are organised in vocational schools in spring – March or April.
