Advantages of vocational education

A reader hails the news that more Emiratis are taking up vocational education. Other topics: food wastage, rain prayers, social media

A reader underlines the benefits of vocational eduction. Fatima Al Marzooqi / The National

I am happy to learn that Emirati enrolment in vocational schools has surged (Emirati enrolment in vocational schools is on the rise, January 11). Vocational education and training opens up a world of opportunities.

Since they prepare individuals for a vocation or a specialised occupation, they’re directly linked with a nation’s productivity and competitiveness.

The main outcomes of such trainings are higher participation in the labour market, lower unemployment, the opportunity to acquire a qualification for all categories that did not previously have one, and the chance to advance in a professional hierarchy. Through lifelong learning, individuals can improve their work opportunities and qualification levels.

Higher remuneration offers new opportunities that lead to further economic and social outputs, such as economic autonomy, and can also enhance psychological well-being. All these factors ultimately impact individual productivity.

Furthermore, there are social returns as vocational education contributes to self-esteem, self-value and self-confidence and supports personal activation.

A clear advantage of vocational training is that learning can be undertaken on the job as well as in the classroom. This means that as well as getting broader academic knowledge, students also get the practical skills that are more likely to be required in reality.

David Howe, US

Social media is not useful

We need to know how to handle social networking services properly (Do we really need LinkedIn? January 11).

However, for me sites such as LinkedIn are just meant for spying on others. I have never been headhunted through LinkedIn.

Moreover, employers can’t rely entirely on the information provided on one’s LinkedIn page because people often lie. It’s unfortunate that technology has minimised human interaction. Weren’t face-to-face interviews better?

Mathew Litty, Dubai

Too much food goes to waste

This refers to letters on food wastage (Shameful wastage of food must stop, January 8).

Despite the issue being highlighted often, no one seems to be bothered. I frequently see heaps of leftover food being thrown into rubbish bins, which is disturbing.

A few days ago, during my regular walk, I saw a large quantity of food being disposed of near a restaurant.

Upon inquiring, a restaurant staff told me that it was their policy to dispose the leftover food. This happens especially when these restaurants host parties. It’s sad that we do not make any sincere effort to control wastage.

Some of our norms and practices show our lack of concern for others. We need to realise that there are people who struggle for survival.

The reality is that one in seven people go to sleep hungry every night, according to the World Food Programme. There are more than a billion hungry people living in the world today.

Are we preparing too much food every day? We need to ask this question to ourselves.

Ramachandran Nair, Oman

Let’s hope for a shower or two

I appreciate that the people of this country have so much faith in the Almighty (UAE Rulers lead prayers for rain across the country, January 11).

It’s indeed laudable that people have not strayed from their path despite so much development and progress.

I hope we are all able to retain our faith in the face of many challenges.

I hope this country gets some heavy showers.

Mohammed Ibrahim, Sharjah