How to start Vocational School

Vocational School : Industry Overview Instruction may be provided in diverse settings, such as the company’s training facilities, the workplace, and the home or through distance-learning methods.

Key areas in this industry include music schools and musical instrument training, cosmetology and barber schools, flight training, apprenticeship training and other technical training.
Establishments in the trade and technical schools industry comprise of schools that offer vocational and technical training in a wide range of technical subjects and trades.
The training offered by trade and technical schools often leads to job-specific certification.Get expert advice on becoming a successful business owner with BusinessHAB Business category! Our step-by-step articles can help you navigate the ins and outs of the business world, from forming a public limited company (PLC) to measuring company growth of an existing company. Learn how to avoid unionization of a company, identify industry trends, implement efficiency strategies, and more!

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If you are a keen follower of the Trade and Technical Schools industry .

You will agree that the industry has experienced fluctuations due to the recession and stagnant growth in federal funding for such schools.

High unemployment has caused individuals to seek out further education, while employers are increasing their training requirements to remain competitive.

Going forward, decreasing unemployment rates combined with the increasing tuition of four-year colleges will both boost enrolment in vocational training, and aid industry growth

Over and above, starting a vocational school requires professionalism and a good grasp of the trade you want to teach people and the overall trade and technical schools industry.

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Besides, you would need to get the required certifications and license (accreditations).

And also meet the standard for such business before you can be allowed to start a standard vocational school in Nigeria.

One good thing about the trade and technical schools industry/vocational schools is that there is a readily available market for their services simply because individuals and even organizations naturally would want to acquire skills and training that will further enhance them.

So, if you are well positioned and you know how to impart trade and technical skills to students, you will always smile to the bank.

How to start Vocational School in Nigeria requirement

Market Research and Feasibility Studies

Demographics and Psycho graphics ,if you are looking towards defining the demographics for your vocational school, then you should make it all encompassing. If you have plans of starting a vocational school, you just have to carve out niche areas that you need to specialize in.
This is so because there are loads of trade and technical skills that can be thought in a vocational school and it is a fact that a vocational school will find it extremely difficult to summon the capacity to teach all the trades and technical skills that are available.
These are some of the ideas a vocational school can choose from
The demographic and psycho graphic composition of those who require the services of vocational schools cut across individuals, corporate organizations, aspiring entrepreneurs and religious organizations who need to acquire trade and technical skill set.

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Barber colleges

Beauty schools
Flight training schools
Apprenticeship training programs
Commercial or graphic art schools
Bar tending schools
Electronic equipment repair training schools
Firefighter training schools
Medical technician schools
Real estate schools

The Level of Competition in the Trade and Technical School Industry

The level of competition in the trade and technical schools industry depends largely on your area of specialization and how big and organized your vocational school is.
The truth is that no matter the level of competition in an industry, if you have done your due diligence and you brand and promote your products or services properly, you will always make headway in the industry. Just ensure you have what it takes to proffer the right trade and technical training solution to people and organizations; and you know how to reach out to your target market.

List of Well – Known Brands in the Vocational School Industry

In every industry, there are always brands that perform better or are better regarded by customers and the general public than others. Some of these brands are those that have been in the industry for a long time, while others are best known for how they conduct their businesses and the results they have achieved over the years.

Economic Analysis

When it comes to starting a vocational school, you need to get your feasibility studies and market research right before venturing into the business. It is good to mention that starting a standard vocational school is not for rookies; it is for professionals who have gathered the required experience and expertise to train people and organizations on various trades and technical skills set.
Starting this kind of business definitely entails that you acquire the required degree and profession certifications, government approval/accreditation and also build good working relationship with stakeholders in the industry. If you are already a major player in the trade and technical schools cum education industry before venturing out to start your own vocational school, this might not be an issue.
Depending on the scale at which you want to start from, you might require as much as multiple thousands of dollars to strike this off and at the same time you might need far less than that if you choose to start the school by teaching/training people on just a minimal trade or technical skill set.
You will be expected to hire the services of experts that will help you with comprehensive economic and cost analysis and the profitability of the businesses within the location that you intend launching the business. If you get your economic and cost analysis right before launching the business, you may not have to stay the long before you break even.

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Starting Your Vocational School from Scratch vs Buying a Franchise

When it comes to starting a business of this nature, it will pay you to buy the franchise of a successful and well – established vocational school as against starting from the scratch.
Even though it is relatively expensive to buy the franchise of an established and accredited vocational school, but it will definitely pay you in the long run.
But if you truly want to build your own brand after you must have proved your worth in the trade and technical schools industry, then you might just want to start your own vocational school from the scratch.
The truth is that it will pay you in the long run to start your vocational school from the scratch. Starting from the scratch will afford you the opportunity to conduct thorough market survey and feasibility studies before choosing a location to launch the business.

Possible Threats and Challenges You Will Face When Starting a Vocational School

If you decide to start your own vocational school today, one of the major challenges you may face is the presence of well – established vocational schools and also other related skill acquisition centres who are offering same training/ services that you intend offering.
The only way to avoid this challenge is to create your own market niche.

Other threats that you are likely going to face as a vocational school operating in the United States are unfavourable government policies, the arrival of a competitor within your location of operation and global economic downturn which may affect businesses such as vocational school.

There is hardly anything you can do as regards these threats other than to be optimistic that things will continue to work for your good.

Vocational School : Legal Matters

Best legal entity to use for this type of business.

People prefer limited liability Company for obvious reasons. As a matter of fact, if your intention is to grow the business and have students both corporate and individual from all across Nigeria and other countries of the world, then choosing general partnership is not an option for you. Limited Liability Company, LLC will cut it for you.

Generally, you have the option of either choosing a general partnership, or limited liability company which is commonly called an LLC for a business such as a vocational school.
Ordinarily, general partnership should have been the ideal business structure for a small – scale vocational school especially if you are just starting out with a moderate startup capital.

For example, setting up an LLC protects you from personal liability.
If anything goes wrong in the business, it is only the money that you invested into the limited liability company that will be at risk.
It is not so for general partnerships. Limited liability companies are simpler and more flexible to operate and you don’t need a board of directors, shareholders meetings and other managerial formality

How to start Vocational School in Nigeria: Suitable Name for your Vocational School

Generally, when it comes to choosing a name for your Vocational School , it is expected that you should be creative because whatever name you choose for your business will go a long way to create a perception of what the business represents.
If you are considering starting your own vocational school, here are some names that you can choose from:

Acclaim Beauty College
Northwest Cosmetology Institute
Harry Gray Barbing College
Eastern Regional Technical College
Grace Capital Technology Center
Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School
Cross-County Regional Vocational Technical Institute
Richmond Valley Electronic Equipment Repair Training Schools
Pristine Commercial and Graphic Art Schools
Chris Jones Aviation Academy

How to start Vocational School in Nigeria: Insurance Policies

In Nigeria and in most countries of the world, you can’t operate a business without having some of the basic insurance policy covers that are required by the industry you want to operate from.

So, it is imperative to create a budget for insurance policy covers.

And perhaps consult an insurance broker to guide you in choosing the best and most appropriate insurance policies for your vocational school.

Here are some of the basic insurance policy covers that you should consider purchasing if you want to start your own vocational school in Nigeria;

General insurance
Risk Insurance
Financial reinsurance
Health insurance
Liability insurance
Workers compensation
Overhead expense disability insurance
Business owner’s policy group insurance
Payment protection insurance

How to start Vocational School in Nigeria: Property Protection

If you are considering starting your own vocational school.

Usually you are required to file for intellectual property protection.

This is because the nature of the business makes it possible for you to challenge organizations and individuals in court for illegally making use of your company’s intellectual properties.

So also, if you want to protect your company’s logo and other documents.

Or software that are unique to you or even jingles and media production concepts.

Then you can go ahead to file for intellectual property protection.

Is Professional Certification Needed to Run a Vocational School?

Aside from the results you produce as it relates to training your students on various trade and technical skills set.

Professional certification is one of the main reasons why most vocational school stand out.

If you want to make impact in the trade and technical schools industry.

You should work towards acquiring all the needed certifications in your area of specialization.

Certification validates your competency and shows that you are highly skilled.

Committed to your career and up-to-date in this competitive market.

These are some of the certifications you can work towards achieving if you want to run your own vocational school;

Certified Technical Skill Trainer
Certification in a Niche Area (Trade and Technical Vocation)
Degree or Diploma in Trade Related Courses

Please note that you cannot successfully run a vocational school in Nigeria and in most countries of the world without necessarily acquiring professional certifications and business license (accreditation from regulating bodies) even if you have adequate experience cum background in the trade and technical schools industry.

List of Legal Documents You Need to Run a Vocational School

These are some of the basic legal documents that you are expected to have in place if you want to legally run your own vocational school in the United States of America;

Certificate of Incorporation
Federal Tax Payer’s ID
State Permit
Accreditation Letter
Business License and Certification
Business Plan
Education/Training Curriculum
Non – disclosure Agreement
Employment Agreement (offer letters)
Operating Agreement for LLCs
Insurance Policy
Consulting contract documents
Online Terms of Use
Online Privacy Policy Document
Apostille (for those who intend operating beyond Nigeria)
Company Bylaws
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

How to start Vocational School in Nigeria: Financing Your Vocational School

Aside from the required certifications and hands-on experience, starting a vocational school can be cost effective.

Securing a standard school facility in a good business district, equipping the school with the needed training instruments, equipment and tools and paying your employees are part of what will consume a large chunk of your startup capital.

No doubt when it comes to financing a business, one of the major factors that you should consider is to write a good business plan. If you have a good and workable business plan document in place, you may not have to labor yourself before convincing your bank, investors and your friends to invest in your business or to partner with you.

Here are some of the options you can explore when sourcing for startup capital for your vocational school;

Raising money from personal savings and sale of personal stocks and properties
Raising money from investors and business partners
Sell of shares to interested investors
Applying for loan from your bank
Pitching your business idea and applying for business grants and seed funding from donor organizations and angel investors
Source for soft loans from your family members and your friends

Location for your Vocational School

Vocational schools and most training and educational based type of businesses require that you see physically with your clients (students)

Hence, it must be located in good location; a location that is prone to both human and vehicular traffic.

And a location that is at the epicenter of an educational environment.

If indeed you want to enroll loads of students in your vocational school and maximize profits from the business.

Most importantly, before choosing a location for your vocational school.

Ensure that you first conduct a thorough feasibility studies and market survey.

The possibility of you coming across similar vocational school that just closed shop in the location you want to open yours can’t be ruled out.

These are some of the key factors that you should consider before choosing a location for your vocational school;

The demography of the location
The demand for the skill acquisition in the location
The purchasing power of the residents of the location
Accessibility of the location
The number of vocational schools and related skill acquisition centers in the location
The local laws and regulations in the community/state
Traffic, parking and security et al

Technical & Manpower

On the average, there is no special technology or equipment needed to run a vocational school except for the equipment and technology the students will need for practical sessions.

In essence the equipment, machine, tools and instrument a vocational school need to have in place are dependent on their area.

You will definitely need computers/laptops, internet facility, telephone, fax machine and office furniture (chairs, tables, and shelves).

These machines, equipment, tools and instrument can be purchased as fairly used especially if you have limited finance to meet your budget.

As regards the number of employees that you are expected to kick start the business with, you would need to consider your finance before making the decision.

Averagely, you would need a Chief Executive Officer/Principal Partner, School Administrator, Teachers/Instructors/Coaches, Business Developer, Accountant (Bursar), Customer Service Executive/Front Desk Officer.

Over and above, you would need a minimum of 5 to 10 key staff to effectively run a medium scale but standard vocational school.

Please note that there will be times when you are expected to go out of your way to hire experts to help you handle some high-profile students especially from big corporations.

If you are just starting out you may not have the financial capacity or required business structure to retain all the professionals that are expected to work with you.

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Service Delivery

Vocational schools and skill acquisition centers are established with the aim of teaching students technical and trade skill set.

In essence, a student is expected to enroll in a vocational school if they have the trade or technical skills he or she wants to acquire in the list of their courses.

For example, a vocational school that is into teaching students how to repair electric equipment and electronics will definitely create curriculum that will take care of training an unskilled person who enrolled into their vocational school into becoming skilled.

The Marketing Plan

Marketing ideas and strategies

As a vocational school, you would have to prove your worth over and over again before attracting corporate organizations and individuals to enroll in your vocational school.

So, if you have plans to start your own vocational school, it will pay you to build first build a successful career in the trade and technical schools industry.

So, when you are drafting your marketing plans and strategies for your vocational school, make sure that you create a compelling personal and company profile.

Aside from your qualifications and experience, it is important to clearly state in practical terms what you have been able to achieve in time past as it relates to the technical schools industry and the organizations you have trained with.

This will help boost your chances in the market place when sourcing for students and corporate clients.

Please note that in most cases when sourcing for clients from corporate organizations and other institutions, you will be called upon to defend your proposal, so you must be pretty good with presentations. Here are some of the platforms you can utilize to market your vocational school;

Introduce your business by sending introductory letters alongside your brochure to all the corporate organizations, high school leavers, churches and other religious centers, local community, aspiring entrepreneurs and households within and outside the city you are operating in who have the capacity to pay for your services
Advertise your vocational school in relevant magazines, radio and TV stations (make yourself available for trade and technical skills related talk shows and interactive sessions on TV and Radio)
List your vocational school on local directories/yellow pages
Attend international vocational education expos, seminars and business fairs
Create different packages for different category of students and clients in order to work with their budget
Leverage on the internet to promote your vocational school
Join local chambers of commerce and industries around you with the main aim of networking and marketing your services; you are likely going to get referrals from such networks.
Engage the services of marketing executives and business developers to carry out direct marketing

Strategies to Boost Your Vocational School Brand Awareness and Create Your Corporate Identity

If your intention of starting a vocational school is to grow the school beyond the city where you are going to be operating from to become a national and international brand, then you must be ready to spend money on promotion and advertisement of your brand.

In promoting your brand and corporate identity, you should leverage on both print and electronic media and also social media (the internet). As a matter of fact, it is cost effective to use the internet and social media platforms to promote your brands, besides it is pretty much effective and wide reaching.

Below are the platforms you can leverage on to boost your brand and to promote and advertise your vocational school;

Distribute your fliers and handbills in target areas in and around our neighborhood
Ensure that you position your banners and billboards in strategic positions all around your city
Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Badoo, Google+ and other platforms to promote your vocational school.
Encourage the use of word of mouth publicity from your loyal customers
Place adverts on educational related magazines and newspapers, radio and TV stations
Contact corporate organizations, high school leavers, churches and other religious centers, local community, aspiring entrepreneurs and households within and outside the city you are operating in who have the capacity to pay for your services by calling them up and informing them of your organization and the vocational training you offer
Advertise your vocational school in your official website and employ strategies that will help you pull traffic to the site
Brand all your official cars and ensure that all your line and management staff wear your branded shirt or cap at regular intervals.

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