How to Start up Your Small Business with a Vocational Degree

by Rilind Elezaj, Guest Contributor

For all those who are in the crossroads of their career choices, or the stressful thought that they cannot afford college, and they’re convinced that acquiring a job while possessing a unique set of skills will bring great opportunities, a vocational degree seems to be the solution.

Traditionally, vocational training included courses such as; woodwork, textiles, construction, metalwork, hospitality, and cosmetology. Nowadays, however, they have grown to incorporate a wider array of courses so as to fulfill the needs of the modern life. There are institutions that are especially dedicated to vocational courses, although you can still enroll for them in normal colleges.

A vocational degree provides the perfect opportunity to start a small business.

Vocational education and getting skillful in a certain trade brings many opportunities to all those who are willing to work overseas and start a new life. This becomes especially easy when moving to that country does not require a visa or work permit. Nevertheless, it is always a wise move to initially check the work visa possibilities for certain countries before making a haste decision. The same applies to work permits and licenses, in the case of vocational jobs, as those will define your ability to get jobs in the new country.

Once you have graduated with your vocational degree, you will have numerous opportunities for employment. Despite these opportunities, graduates are encouraged to start their own businesses based on the skills they learned. A vocational degree provides the perfect opportunity even for a fresh graduate to start a small business for the following reasons;

Courses are skill-intensive
What differentiates a vocational degree from an academic degree is the level of practical skills learned. A vocational degree will generally involve more skills and related knowledge transfer compared to an academic degree. You will, therefore, have all the skills you need to offer credible services and launch your business early on.

Courses also incorporate business terminology and theoretical knowledge
Aside from the skills, you will take certain courses that teach you how to manage and run a business. Here we are talking about some marketing courses, some basic accounting and bookkeeping and even interpersonal skills. Armed with this knowledge, you will be able to keep your business running efficiently and profitably.

Mentorship
When attending a vocational course, you normally have the opportunity to interact with professionals and experts in the field up-close. These resourceful people can definitely help you incubate your small business and guide you until you have obtained the necessary business leadership skills.

It is safe to say that the spirit of entrepreneurship is usually instilled in students during their vocational training. Despite the risk involved in starting your own small business, there are good reasons why you should give it a shot;

It’s more lucrative
Whenever you are employed, it is no secret that some of the money you make goes back to the business. While this will still be the case with your business, you will be able to enjoy more profits, especially in the long run.

You become your own boss
This will obviously give you more freedom to manage your life as you see fit. You can develop your own work and leisure schedule that best fits your lifestyle.

It helps the economy grow
For the local and even national economy to grow, it requires that more people become job creators rather than job seekers. Once your business grows you can even start up your own business and create jobs for more people in your community.

From the discussion so far, we can agree that a vocational degree will help you start your own business after graduation.

To make it easier for you to understand we will elaborate the topic by shifting our focus towards a more practical and realistic approach. Let’s use the example of how one can start a locksmith business or become a locksmith with a vocational degree;

1. Learn all the necessary skills
Look for a reputable institution where you can enroll for a locksmith course. There are certain areas of specialization to choose from, including automotive locksmith, safe and security locksmith or residential door locksmith. Choose an area that has high demand in your community and one that is not overcrowded.

2. Secure your licenses and permits
You will need a personal license that shows you are qualified to become a locksmith. This you can only get after being attached to an experienced locksmith who will attest to your skills. You will also need business permits that usually vary from one place to another. While being in this phase, you should have decided on where you want to locate your business.

3. Procure the necessary tools and equipment
Admittedly, this is where you will spend most of your money. Depending on the area of specialization you chose, buy quality tools that will help you offer all the necessary services. At this stage, you are also required to buy a business van to enable you to get to your clients more conveniently.

4. Market business and start working
Look for creative and inexpensive ways to advertise the business in the location you have chosen for the start. When orders start coming in, get out there and make use of the valuable vocational skills you acquired.

Judging from this example, it is clear to see the value of vocational training. It will equip you with practical skills that will enable you to offer useful services to the community and even beyond that, giving you opportunities on starting your own business and being your own boss.

That spirit of entrepreneurship will also help you become financially independent, while at the same time providing job opportunities to other community members, giving you the chance of doing something valuable which you also love doing.
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