Final answer:
The former education system emphasized service industry jobs due to historical and economic shifts from agriculture to industrial and service sectors, requiring educational systems to adapt and provide practical training for these growing employment areas.
Step-by-step explanation:
The former education system's focus on the service industry can be attributed to several historical and economic factors. During the industrialization era, there was a significant shift in job opportunities from the agricultural sector to industrial and service sectors. This shift required educational institutions to prepare students for the available jobs in these growing sectors.
The vocational education movement demonstrated a recognition of the importance of technical and trade skills in the new industrial economy. Instruction focused on practical job training programs for the workforce that the nation's communities, states, and economy needed. Aspects like vocational skills became critical to cater to business interests, increase employability, and address the manual and domestic labor market demand.
Fast food industry jobs represent a sector where roles and tasks are highly routinized. This McDonaldization highlights the issue where workers are often viewed as replaceable commodities, which can lead to poor working conditions and devaluation of work. Education systems thus needed to provide the necessary skills for these prevalent positions, especially during times when service jobs may be the only employment available for certain demographics.
In summary, the emphasis on service industry jobs in education reflects historical trends, economic demand, and societal shifts that led to the provision of practical training for workforces in line with the job market's requirements, including in sectors like fast food services.