The education and training requirements for occupations vary widely depending on the specific job. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), occupations are categorized by typical entry-level education, work experience in a related occupation, and typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency
Typical Education Levels for Entry
- Doctoral or professional degree: Required for occupations like biochemists, biophysicists, and many postsecondary teachers
- Master’s degree: Needed for some specialized roles such as computer and information research scientists
- Bachelor’s degree: Common for many managerial, technical, and professional occupations including managers, teachers, analysts, and specialists
- Associate’s degree: Required for some technical and managerial roles like funeral home managers
- Postsecondary nondegree award: For certain technical or vocational jobs.
- Some college, no degree: For some occupations requiring partial college education.
- High school diploma or equivalent: Typical for many entry-level jobs and some managerial roles like farmers, ranchers, and property managers
- No formal educational credential: For a few occupations that rely primarily on on-the-job training.
Work Experience and On-the-Job Training
- Some occupations require several years of related work experience before entry (e.g., 5 years or more for many management roles)
- On-the-job training can range from none to moderate or long-term depending on the occupation
Examples by Occupation
- Managers (e.g., general, human resources, training and development): Usually require a bachelor’s degree and 5 or more years of related experience, with no on-the-job training needed
- Teachers: Typically require a bachelor’s degree or higher, with graduate degrees needed for postsecondary teaching roles
- Technical and vocational roles: Often require an associate’s degree or postsecondary nondegree award, sometimes with moderate on-the-job training
- Specialized scientific roles: May require a master’s or doctoral degree with no additional on-the-job training
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
In some countries like Germany, vocational training programs typically last 1-3 years and require an intermediate-level school certificate. These programs combine school-based education with workplace training to meet occupational standards
. In summary, education and training requirements depend on the occupation’s complexity and skill needs, ranging from no formal credential and on-the-job training to advanced degrees and extensive related experience
