Technical and vocational education: a comparison between initiatives in Britain and abroad
Titel:
Technical and vocational education: a comparison between initiatives in Britain and abroad
Auteur:
Bridgwood, Ann
Verschenen in:
Educational research
Paginering:
Jaargang 29 (1987) nr. 3 pagina's 163-172
Jaar:
1987-11
Inhoud:
The paper examines technical and vocational education and training for 14-18-year-olds in four European countries (Denmark, France, Sweden and West Germany), the USA and Japan. The aim of the paper is to compare the Technical and Vocational Education Initiative (TVEI) with other systems of vocational education and training (VET) and to examine similarities and differences between them. TVEI was launched in September 1983 by the Manpower Services Commission (MSC), in collaboration with the DES, DE and the Welsh Office, in response to a government initiative of November 1982. Its aim is to provide a four year course, commencing at 14 years, of full-time general, technical and vocational education, including appropriate work experience. Courses would lead to nationally recognised qualifications. Within this framework young people would be encouraged to develop broadly based occupational skills (From a letter from Lord Young to Directors of Education, dated 28 January 1983, quoted in Appendix A of the TVEI Operating Manual). The discussion is organized around six broad themes: (1) the target group for VET; (2) organizational issues; (3) curricular and pedagogical issues; (4) attitudinal issues; (5) accreditation; and (6) education-employer links. Before turning to these questions, it may be useful to clarify some of the terms which will be used. 'Vocational' education or training, which is seen as preparing people for the world of work, can be interpreted broadly or narrowly. In its broad sense, all education is vocational in so far as it encourages qualities, attitudes, knowledge, understanding and competences which are the necessary foundation for employment; in its narrowest sense, it refers to training for a specific vocational area (HMSO, 1985). Cantor (1985) distinguishes between vocational 'education' which is provided in schools, colleges and universities as part of the educational system, and vocational 'training' which is preparation for work provided for and in industry. 'Technical' education is usually taken to refer to the mastery of a body of knowledge and skills, which can be applied in a practical way (Gleeson and Mardle, 1980).
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