While formal education often provides theoretical or broad knowledge that could be applied to a variety of professions within certain fields such as law or medicine, vocational training teaches students the precise skills and knowledge needed to carry out a specific craft, technical skill or trade, such as mechanics or catering.

Techno-optimism is the belief that technology can continually improve lives and make the world better by solving problems, while techno-pessimism sees technology as creating as many or more problems than it solves.