vocational
/vəʊˈkeɪʃənl/ (bre, ipa) · /vəʊˈkeɪʃənl/ (ame, ipa) · /vō-ˈkā-sh(ə-)nəl/ (ame, mw)
vocational — adjective
- vocationalpositive
- more vocationalcomparative
- most vocationalsuperlative
1. describes educational courses, training programmes, or qualifications that teach
describes educational courses, training programmes, or qualifications that teach the practical skills needed for a specific occupation or trade
Bilal enrolled in a vocational course to work as an electrician after leaving school.
vocational + noun (course / training / programme)
The local vocational school offers evening classes for adults who want to learn new skills.
vocational + noun (school / college)
Stephanie chose a vocational qualification in nursing instead of going to university.
At the vocational college, students spend part of each week practising in real workshops.
Liang earned a vocational diploma in car repair after years in a factory.
- technical
often more specific to hands-on, engineering, or technology skills; 'vocational' is broader and includes service and care professions
- occupational
more formal and neutral; used in official contexts (e.g. occupational training, occupational health)
- career-oriented
broader — includes professional development and university-level career preparation, not just practical trade skills
- trade
used specifically for skilled manual jobs such as plumbing, carpentry, or electrical work
- academic
focuses on theoretical knowledge and general education rather than practical job-specific skills
- theoretical
concerned with ideas and principles rather than the hands-on practice emphasised in vocational training
文法句型
vocational + noun (training / course / school / qualification / programme)
用法筆記
Frequently used as an attributive adjective before nouns such as course, training, school, college, qualification, and programme. It is less common in predicative position (e.g. 'this training is vocational') though still grammatical.