The trend of young people pursuing university degrees in jobs they do not work in after graduation is on the rise according to research conducted by Malamud and Cristian (4). The society seems to focus more on fostering degree holders while giving minimal attention to vocational training; a trend that experts believe will be costly in the long run if not discouraged. This trend is likely to result in an imbalance in the labor market, an increase in unemployment and wastage of valuable resources including time, money as well as manpower. Therefore, engaging in blue color jobs ought to be encouraged as it is more productive compared to pursuing degrees in jobs the individual would not work in.
Related Posts
Over the years, the focus in occupation has been shifting with many preferring skills acquired from universities considering the increase in university intakes according to research conducted by Becker and Hecken (26). However, the concern is being raised about the relevance of these degrees as there have been several cases of graduates not working in their respective field of study with some remaining jobless. Therefore, experts in an attempt to solve this challenge realized that encouraging vocational training that has long been neglected is the ultimate solution as they realized graduates affected were channeling their energy to the wrong field.
The champions of attainment of university degrees are driven by the notion that white color jobs are more rewarding financially compared blue color jobs thus giving the individuals superior socioeconomic status as indicated by Lechner (4). Universities do impact individuals with extensive knowledge in their field of study making them better equipped at work. However, not every graduate is benefiting from university education due to lack of jobs or interest in the particular field. Also, blue color jobs do offer financial stability as well.
Research conducted by Malamud and Cristian (7) attribute recent increase in unemployment to high increase in uninformed pursuit for university degrees among young people who have been driven by preconception concerning the value of those degrees they seek. Some of them tend to think that the degrees open doors for a brighter future that has been proved not to be the case as the job market for those skills is currently overflowing. On the other hand, job opportunity for technicians is increasing as the aged who currently hold those positions are retiring living gaps. Thus, encouraging young people to join the field would help get rid of the existing imbalance in the labor market thus promote economic growth.
In the rash of acquiring formal education and university degrees and making themselves ready for the white color job market, most young people find themselves confused and completely out of place if the desire is not passion driven. Every individual is unique thus have different talents, desires, and abilities. Therefore, those dismissing vocational training are ignoring this vital fact that everyone has different choices and preferences even when it comes to job selection. Success in any career is determined by talents and interests together with hard work therefore it is crucial to encourage the young people to pursue their desired career even those interested in blue color jobs so as to exploit fully they are potential as described by Wolbers (5).
Taking a university degree that an individual may not need in future is quite pointless as it is a waste of time and resources. University education takes a lot of time in most cases a minimum of four years such that failure to apply the skills seems as a complete wastage of valuable time and tends to lead to regrets. Therefore, it is important to encourage individuals to take vocational training as they take less time and still leaves an individual with time to pursue a university degree. Spending government resources supporting university students who do not use their acquired skills after graduation yet have the potential to perform better in the blue color jobs is wastage as explicated by Martina Dieckhoff (3). Therefore, it is important to encourage young people to take up blue color jobs depending on their abilities so as to make better use of the available time and resources.
The contribution of both white and blue color jobs to the economy are enormous. Technical workforce is vital to industrial development and creation of jobs just as skills acquired from the university thus as much as they are not equal; none of them should be sidelined because at the end of the day they serve a common purpose as explained by Becker and Hecken (35) . Becker and Hecken (35) further claims that pursuing relevant technical and university education hand in hand and combining the skills in their respective careers would be more beneficial as it results to a well informed and landed workforce thus should be encouraged. It is also crucial to give those in the blue color jobs field the support by appreciating and respect their choices as both blue and white color jobs valuable, profitable and satisfying careers.
Giving preference to specific skills training is dangerous as it may results to overcrowding and lack of jobs in that sector just as championing for university degrees at the expenses of vocational training has proved. It is heartbreaking for individuals to pursue university degrees in jobs that they will not work in as it amounts to wastage of time and resources making it difficult for them to start afresh in their field of interest. Therefore, they would be more productive equipped with technical skills than certificates they would not be able to use. Significantly, no type of job is valueless as they all have their part in the development of the economy thus none should be marginalized.
Annotated Bibliography
Lechner, Michael. “An Evaluation of Public-Sector-Sponsored Continuous Vocational Training Programs in East Germany.” SSRN Electronic Journal (2000): n.pag. Print.
The journal looks into the majorities’ reasons for supporting attainment of university degrees as opposed to vocational training. It discuses the notion that white color jobs are more rewarding financially but also stress that blue color jobs do offer financial stability as well.
Maarten H. J. Wolbers. “Job Mismatches and their labor- Market Effects among Schools- leavers in Europe.” European Sociological Review (2003) 249-266 18. Print.
Wolbers claims that talents, abilities and desires should be the driving force of professional choices. Thus believe that the focus of career empowerment should not revolve around achievement in white color jobs but concentrate on encouraging talents pursuit even for those into blue color jobs.
Malamud and Cristian Pop-Eleches . “General Education Versus Vocational Training: Evidence from an Economy in Transition.” The Review of Economics and Statistics (2010): Vol 92 pp 18 43-60. Print.
The journal indicates the imbalance in the labor market; a case where there are jobs in the blue color job market and few for the white color ones yet the field is overflowing. It recommends vocational training as a means to sealing that gap.
Martina Dieckhoff. “Skills and Occupational Attainment: a Comparative Study of Germany, Denmark and the UK.” Work employment and society volume 22. 89-108(2008): print.
The journal talks about wastage of time and resources attributed to improper career choice driven by the pressure of attaining university degrees that in the long run deem costly.
Rolf Becker and Anna Etta Hecken . “Higher Education or Vocational Training? An Empirical Test of the Rational Choices Suggested by Breen and Goldthrorpe and Esser.” Acta Sociologica (2009): Vol 52 25-45. Print.
The journal raises the issue of preference of attainment of university degrees at the expense of vocational training that is just as important. It also talks about the need to give both white and blue color job equal consideration after extensive research into the relevance of both university and technical education. It dismisses the notion that university degrees are superior as it acknowledges the contribution of technical workforce to the economy.
.Work cited
Lechner, Michael. “An Evaluation of Public-Sector-Sponsored Continuous Vocational Training Programs in East Germany.” SSRN Electronic Journal (2000): n.pag. Print.
Maarten H. J. Wolbers. “Job Mismatches and their Labor- Market Effects among Schools- leavers in Europe.” European Sociological Review (2003): Print.
Malamud and Cristian Pop-Eleches . “General Education Vrsus Vocational Training: Evidence from an Economy in Transition.” The Review of Economics and Statistics (2010): Print.
Martina Dieckhoff. “Skills and Occupational Attainment: a Comparative Study of Germany, Denmark and the UK.” Work employment and society (2008): Print.
Rolf Becker and Anna Etta Hecken . “Higher Education or Vocational Training? An Empirical Test of the Rational Choices Suggested by Breen and Goldthrorpe and Esser.” Acta Sociologica (2009): Print.
With a student-centered approach, I create engaging and informative blog posts that tackle relevant topics for students. My content aims to equip students with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed academically and beyond.
