Among the youth, a new trend is emerging - a refusal to obtain higher education in favor of vocational professions. This shift in values is felt, where it was previously considered that the main goal was to obtain a university diploma. According to a Zety survey, over half of the youth seriously consider the possibility of pursuing vocational specialties.
Popularity of Vocational Specialties
According to the National Research Center, the number of students in colleges and vocational schools has increased by almost 20% since 2020, while universities showed only a 2% growth. One of the reasons for this trend is the shorter duration of study in colleges (1-2 years), which allows for a quicker start to a working career and stable income.
Reasons for Choosing Vocational Professions
The Zety survey showed that several key factors influence the decisions of the youth: fear of artificial intelligence, high pay, and job stability. Experts believe that young people are choosing vocational professions that will be needed and relevant amid a rapid technological revolution.
Ukrainian youth increasingly choose vocational professions over obtaining higher education due to the shorter duration of study, high pay, and job stability. This trend may be a result of fear of artificial intelligence and the desire to have a profession that will remain important in the future during technological changes.