Providing an atmosphere that empowers the student to embrace his future and feel good about his choice of vocation falls on those most closely in contact with student--his teachers and advisers. It is the responsibility of the educational provider to, not only teach a vocation, but supply guidance and support along the way. The classroom is at the very core of life experience for the student. He is being prepared for his life in the workforce, as a productive and industrial part of society--the backbone of America.
Leadership, at the administrative level, trickles down to empower all school constituencies. The administration of an institution is responsible for keeping the wheels of vocational education and training spinning. It is through administrative leadership that ground rules and expectations are set into motion, for both faculty and students. Because vocational education and training institutions cater to a wide age range of individuals, including older adults returning to school after extended periods of absence looking to learn a new career, administrative leaders must present prospective students a balanced curriculum with clear-cut expectations and results. Offering the community a service that delivers what it promises.
So too, do administrative leaders have a responsibility to their faculty. It should be realized that leadership is not the same thing as management--leadership is guidance and example of chosen strategies and expectations; management is regulation of funds, supervision of staff and general upkeep of the institution.
Through inspirational leadership on all levels of vocational education and training, the student is influenced to pursue his goal with enthusiasm. If leadership falls short, the success of the student is compromised. He may fail miserably or choose not to complete the path to his vocational dream. By providing a positive atmosphere in and out of the classroom, he is more likely to meet expectations and goals, and might even show signs of leadership among his peers.
There are those who are driven to succeed, and sadly, those who are driven to failure. Leading those who want to follow allow educators the freedom of flexibility. Unfortunately, weeding through potential failures and succeeding in leading them down the right path does not happen easily, in any educational institution. Educators are faced with challenges every day with the question of who has potential and who does not.
The educator may feel a student needs more guidance, while the administration guidelines are too strict to allow for bending. Educators are, more times than not, constrained within those guidelines and may feel a sense of failure toward the student.
Leadership within the vocational education and training curriculum has potential to create many job opportunities for future graduating students. Participation within the community and with business owners promotes growth economically for both, student and educational institution. Not to mention the potential for those who may start their own businesses within the community in the future.