There’s a difference between a four year degree and a terminal two year degree. Students with AA degrees or any bachelor’s degree can look for jobs that require 'a’degree. (IE., with a degree in English, you’re able to apply to lots of jobs that require college-level skills.) But terminal, vocational degrees are supposed to be nimble, responding to local needs. They may be one year or two years, focused on just one subject, with limited general education, which means that if you train for hairdressing that’s what you’ll be allowed to find jobs in. Same thing for NMT.