Vocational schools give preliminary training and practical knowledge in skilled jobs such as machine-handling, carpentry, plumbing, electronics, and paralegal jobs. Vocational schools may be better considered as imparting training and not education.

Major advances in the techniques of vocational education were made by the armed services during the Second World War. There was a growing need for technicians, which could not be supplied by the civilian population. Thus, special training methods that placed emphasis on graphic presentation and practical work were employed to meet the demand. Further stress on vocational training came about thanks to the Servicemen