Skip to main content

Vocational Training

  • Living reference work entry
  • First Online:
  • 44 Accesses

Definition

Vocational training is a form of education that is practically oriented. Individuals who are enrolled in vocational training are learning skills specific to a particular occupation or job. These occupations tend to be manual jobs by nature and are in the mechanical arts or some other form of industry, agriculture, or trade. The education is less academically oriented with an emphasis upon practical skills and apprenticeship work. The students learn the trade by doing supervised work. Extensive practical experience is given in lieu of learning theory, technical knowledge, or following a liberal arts education.

Historical Background

The history of vocational training is as long as humans have been involved in organized activity for survival and commerce. The training of individuals was conducted by the family, tribe, or later village members. Often, young children of impoverished families were put in the care of skilled craftsman or better-educated individuals as a way of the...

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

References and Reading

  • Assistive Technology Act of 2004, P.L. 108-364; 29 U.S.C 3001 et seq. Retrieved July 24 2011, from http://www2.ed.gov/programs/atsg/legislation.html.

  • Baker, J. (2005). Preparing for life: The complete guide for transitioning to adulthood for those with autism and Asperger’s syndrome. Arlington: Future Horizons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barlow, M. (1976). 200 years of vocational education: 1776–1976; independent action, 1826–1876. American Vocational Journal, 51(5), 31–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, D. (2009). Thorkil Sonne: Recruit autistics. Wired Magazine 17(10); September 21, 2009. Retrieved 5 Oct 2009, from: http://www.wired.com/techbiz/people/magazine/17-10/ff_smartlist_sonne.

  • Edmonds, G., & Beardon, L. (Eds.). (2008). Asperger syndrome and employment: Adults speak out about Asperger syndrome. London: Jessica Kingsley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freedman, S. (2010). Developing college skills in students with autism and Asperger’s syndrome. London: Jessica Kingsley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gerhardt, P. (2009). The current state of affairs for adults with autism (draft). Advancing Futures for Adults with Autism: Think Tank. January 21, 2009. New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gerhardt, P. (2011). Personal Communication.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grandin, T., & Duffy, K. (2008). Developing talents: Careers for individuals with Asperger syndrome and high functioning autism. Overland Park: Autism Asperger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kochhar-Bryant, C., Bassett, D. S., & Webb, K. W. (2009). Transition to post-secondary education for students with disabilities. Thousand Oaks: Corwin.

    Google Scholar 

  • McDonnell, J., & Hardman, M. L. (2010). Successful transition programs: Pathways for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Starr, P. (1982). The social transformation of American medicine. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2011). Occupation outlook handbook 2011. Retrieved 24 July 2011, from http://www.bls.gov/oco/.

  • VanBergeijk, E. O., Klin, A., & Volkmar, F. (2008). Supporting more able students on the autism spectrum: College and beyond. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38, 1359–1370.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wehman, P. (2001). Life beyond the classroom: Transition strategies for young people with disabilities (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ernst O. VanBergeijk .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

VanBergeijk, E.O. (2018). Vocational Training. In: Volkmar, F. (eds) Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6435-8_1814-3

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6435-8_1814-3

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-6435-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-6435-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Behavioral Science and PsychologyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences

Publish with us

Policies and ethics