Career Education

There is simply a massive marketplace in the U.S. for career education.  There are literally tens of thousands of high schools, vocational and technical schools, as well as community colleges that offer career education programs.

Career Education Facts

Data from the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics indicates that in the fall of 2010, 23.5 million adults were enrolled in post-secondary educational training.  In June 2011, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that 91.4% of adults 25 years or older have obtained their high school diploma, and nearly 36% of the adult population have a bachelor's degree or higher.

If you're looking for a high paying job, then it's increasingly important to get your college diploma.  The good news is the federal government realizes that an educated workforce helps to keep the American economy healthy.

Adult Education Grants

That's one reason why the federal government is interested in helping to educate adults in America.  This is also why the federal government has funded the development of programs and grants managed by the Office of Vocational and Adult Education.

This office supports a wide range of activities that can help prepare you to advance your career through learning and formal education. The total program reach is quite large, with funding in the area of $2 billion annually.

Adult Education

The first type of career education we're going to discuss is adult education.  The purpose of an adult educational program is to expand the opportunities for learning, and provide programs for adults that will enable them to acquire the job skills necessary to function in society, and advance their careers.

For example, adult education can help provide training for adults so they can become more employable, productive, and responsible members of society.  This type of instruction allows adults to continue their education through completion of secondary school.

Vocational Education

A second type of career education we're going to discuss is vocational education.  Vocational education helps students, workers, and lifelong learners achieve their potential as an active member of today's workforce.  It's high school and college education that provides students with:

• Contextual Learning - subject matter that's taught with relevance to the real world.
• Employability Skills - ranging from workplace ethics to improving job skills.
• Education Pathways - aimed at helping students discover interests and careers while progressing through school.

If you're interested in finding out more information on adult or vocational education, then the Office of Vocational and Adult Education is a must-read website.

Lifelong Learning

You can also find organizations and programs that help people to develop their careers over their lifetimes.  Such organizations provide services to the public and professionals alike that are involved with, or interested in, career development programs.  Such services can include activities, publications, establishing professional standards, and even recognition for achievements or service.

The U.S. Department of Education is the federal agency charged with the task of establishing policies, administering, and coordinating assistance to education.  Many of the lifelong learning programs are run, or funded, through the U.S. Department of Education.  The agency also assists the President in executing his education policies for the nation.

Continuing Education Units

The last type of career education we're going to discuss is the continuing education unit or CEU.  A CEU is a uniform measurement for selected non-credit educational programs that may be awarded by colleges and universities.

One continuing education unit is defined as ten hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction.

There are many professions, and professional "certifications," that require the person holding the certification to commit to lifelong learning by requiring an annual number of CEUs to be taken as a condition of the certification.

For example, Certified Financial Planning professionals not only need to meet standards in education, experience, examination, and ethics, but these professionals must also have 30 hours of continuing education every year.

Career Education via Colleges and Universities

It's never too late to go back to school, and many local colleges and universities welcome the opportunity to educate the more mature member's of society.  If you're thinking about furthering your career via the pursuit of a college degree, then be sure to take a look at our student / college loan section.

There you'll find information on student grants, applying for a student loan, and even some helpful hints on choosing a college.

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