Career Colleges and Vocational Schools in Argentina
Career Colleges and Vocational Schools in Argentina by City:
Buenos AiresLa PlataVilla MaríaAbout Career Colleges and Vocational Schools in Argentina
The Argentine economy is the third largest in all of Latin America, which for most translates to a very high quality of life. The country boasts the most literate and highly educated populace in the region and with rich natural resources and a wide array of agriculture products, all of which are in high demand the world over, it is also one of the leading exporters in the area. Couple this with a very diverse industrial base and it’s easy to see why Argentina continues to thrive and grow, even the midst of the ongoing global recession, and is considered an emerging market according to the Global Equity Index.
The wealth of resources enjoyed by Argentina is only one component of the country’s recent economic success, with the other being the knowledgeable and highly skilled workforce they possess—the workforce required to transform those resources into profits. This latter benefit was not always present, however. After the Federal Law of Education in 1995, which essentially did away with technical secondary schools in the region, Argentina had a deficiency of skilled and technically qualified workers. Moreover, prior to 2007, schooling of any kind after the primary level was not even compulsory. Consequently, estimates suggest that nearly half of all eligible students discontinued their studies at age 15 or 16, particularly those students in rural areas, citing the need to help their families economically. Even more, the majority of students who did attend secondary school studied a predominantly academic track, rather than a vocational one, with the goal of majoring in professional studies at the university.
This has all changed now, both at the secondary and tertiary level, as vocational schools and career studies have now become a major priority of this very successful school system.
Vocational Studies: Secondary School
The high schools in Argentina are called Polimodals—schools that offer different modes or categories of education from which students can choose. One of these educational tracks, called Escuelas Tecnicas, or technical schools, provides students an introductory-level education and hands-on training experience in which they gain expertise in the various technologies used in businesses throughout Argentina, from agriculture to industry. Upon graduation, many of these students will use this knowledge as a ticket into one of many entry-level career openings, and those that desire an even more advanced education will enroll in tertiary school.
Vocational Studies: Tertiary Schools
While secondary vocational education is very broad and basic, the tertiary schools in Argentina offer students a more advanced education toward specific careers. There are currently close to 1800 public tertiary schools in the country. These schools are tuition-free, and the only costs incurred by students are transportation and course materials. Approximately half of these tertiary schools are dedicated to teacher education, with the remainder specializing in various vocations in which a competency certificate is required, including the automobile and printing industries.
More recently, many private vocational schools have emerged in response to industry needs in many Argentine communities. At these schools students have an array of career fields from which to choose, including computer repair, IT, welding, business administration, child care, automobile mechanic, construction, and electrician.
Collectively, the technical, secondary and tertiary schools in Argentina, both public and private, are filling a tremendous need in the country, giving all Argentine students the opportunity to better themselves through education, which in turn adds value to the state.
The wealth of resources enjoyed by Argentina is only one component of the country’s recent economic success, with the other being the knowledgeable and highly skilled workforce they possess—the workforce required to transform those resources into profits. This latter benefit was not always present, however. After the Federal Law of Education in 1995, which essentially did away with technical secondary schools in the region, Argentina had a deficiency of skilled and technically qualified workers. Moreover, prior to 2007, schooling of any kind after the primary level was not even compulsory. Consequently, estimates suggest that nearly half of all eligible students discontinued their studies at age 15 or 16, particularly those students in rural areas, citing the need to help their families economically. Even more, the majority of students who did attend secondary school studied a predominantly academic track, rather than a vocational one, with the goal of majoring in professional studies at the university.
This has all changed now, both at the secondary and tertiary level, as vocational schools and career studies have now become a major priority of this very successful school system.
Vocational Studies: Secondary School
The high schools in Argentina are called Polimodals—schools that offer different modes or categories of education from which students can choose. One of these educational tracks, called Escuelas Tecnicas, or technical schools, provides students an introductory-level education and hands-on training experience in which they gain expertise in the various technologies used in businesses throughout Argentina, from agriculture to industry. Upon graduation, many of these students will use this knowledge as a ticket into one of many entry-level career openings, and those that desire an even more advanced education will enroll in tertiary school.
Vocational Studies: Tertiary Schools
While secondary vocational education is very broad and basic, the tertiary schools in Argentina offer students a more advanced education toward specific careers. There are currently close to 1800 public tertiary schools in the country. These schools are tuition-free, and the only costs incurred by students are transportation and course materials. Approximately half of these tertiary schools are dedicated to teacher education, with the remainder specializing in various vocations in which a competency certificate is required, including the automobile and printing industries.
More recently, many private vocational schools have emerged in response to industry needs in many Argentine communities. At these schools students have an array of career fields from which to choose, including computer repair, IT, welding, business administration, child care, automobile mechanic, construction, and electrician.
Collectively, the technical, secondary and tertiary schools in Argentina, both public and private, are filling a tremendous need in the country, giving all Argentine students the opportunity to better themselves through education, which in turn adds value to the state.