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Vocational Training Centre vs Centre of Vocational Excellence

Vocational Training Centre vs Centre of Vocational Excellence

Following on from our August 28th post on "Creating CoVEs in the ICT sector and a platform for collaboration" and the next article named "International cooperation between the CoVEs is a must", next question we need to answer is the question what would be the main functions and activities that a Center of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) should perform. Before that, we need to answer another fundamental question, the answer to which makes sense of our activity in the implementation of InvestTech project itself, and this question is what is the difference between a Vocational Training Centre and a Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE)

Careful analysis shows that, in general, compared to a Vocational Training Centre, a Centre of Vocational  Excellence (CoVE) has a significantly broader scope and focus that is on holistic professional development.

Specifically:

  1. At Vocational training centres, the primary focus is on providing short-term, targeted training programs aimed at acquiring specific technical skills or certification in a specific field, tailored to the needs of the local industry or labor market. CoVEs aim to provide holistic professional development for individuals working in specific industries or functional areas and to meet a wide range of skills and knowledge needs by providing a combination of training, education and practical application opportunities.
  2. Vocational training centres usually offer a limited range of training programs that are closely related to their mission and objectives and may also focus on one or more industries or functional areas. CoVEs typically have a broader range of training programs and services and may include vocational training, higher education, research, innovation and collaboration with industry.
  3. Vocational training centres typically serve working adults who want to update or upgrade their skills in a specific field, although they may serve students who are looking to complete a short course of study before entering the job market. CoVEs necessarily target their services to professionals working in specific industries or functional areas, as well as students who wish to enter these fields. They also serve as continuing professional development centers for those working in these industries.
  4. The training programs used in Vocational training centres are usually shorter-term - lasting from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the complexity of the subject and the level of skills being taught, while the training programs in CoVEs range from short-term to long-term and can include both intensive training sessions and more extended educational programs.
  5. Vocational training centres usually offer certification or recognition of completion of their training programs, which can be valuable to job seekers or employers. CoVEs seek to offer various forms of certification or recognition of completion by partnering with academic institutions to offer formal degrees or diplomas.

To be continued ……


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