Training workshops average two to three days in length and may either be conducted at a workplace or at a designated training site. Many companies that provide training workshops focus on managerial business aspects such as administration, sales and customer service, security and safety, human resources, marketing, information technology and finance. Personal growth workshops are common, focusing on subjects that include diversity training, stress relief and written and oral communications.
Keeping employees updated on the latest advancements in their field or on changes in local, state or national laws that may affect their profession is another focus of training workshops. Information presented in these seminars may not be required to maintain licenses or certificates, but is essential for running a business properly. Examples of topics include workshops on American Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, sales taxes, special education and elder law. In addition, government bodies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) conduct workshops on topics pertinent to their employees, while specialized professions such as health care update their workers on topics that only apply to those businesses.
Vocational schools offer educational programs tailored to specific career fields. They require lengthy hands-on coursework that is usually not found in academic majors at traditional universities. Vocational schools sprang from the apprenticeship and guild system, where individuals learning a craft or trade studied under those who had considerable experience in it. These institutions have adapted to modern needs, streamlining the learning process and making it more efficient. Although some students studying vocations or trades may eventually obtain university bachelor's or master's degrees, many fields simply require a certificate, course diploma or an associate degree for entry-level positions.
Thanks to technical advancements in areas such as automotive repair and heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC), trades that at one time simply required a high school diploma now require applicants to complete a vocational curriculum and possibly pass certification tests before obtaining an initial job. Other areas with extensive programs are culinary arts, including all aspects of food preparation, catering, restaurant management and wine studies; beauty, encompassing cosmetology, electrology, aesthetics and skin care; and information technology, which ranges from computer repair to network design. To meet the demands of modern life, vocational schools have established curricula in such diverse areas as massage therapy and environmental engineering technology.