Education and training policies addressing social integration of vulnerable populations into the labour market: a comparative account

In this paper, the author aims to examine the research on specific policies run at European and national levels which address the employability of vulnerable populations, in order to explore which connections research has tried to establish and address between VET and social inclusion in the context of the knowledge economy. The paper gives an account of them in terms of their weight and their impact, trying to bring together in a comparable manner data, legislation and programs at European Union (EU) and national levels by reviewing databases and recent policy guidelines and literature at EU level and in Latin American countries. The issues addressed here find themselves at the intersection of different areas: vocational education and training (VET), youth policies, inclusive education, children and youth at risk, democracy in the workplace and in education, social justice and educational policy studies. However, the author argues that VET and social inclusion and the impact of policies, interventions and strategies of VET upon youth policies does not play a significant role in examination of these issues. He suggests that VET policies are understood and enacted differently by different actors: educators and trainers, employers, workers in charge of work placements, unionists and others who, at local level, both institutional and professional, interpret and implement VET policies and regulations in their own interests and those of the communities they serve.

In this paper, the author aims to examine the research on specific policies run at European and national levels which address the employability of vulnerable populations, in order to explore which connections research has tried to establish and address between VET and social inclusion in the context of the knowledge economy. The paper gives an account of them in terms of their weight and their impact, trying to bring together in a comparable manner data, legislation and programs at European Union (EU) and national levels by reviewing databases and recent policy guidelines and literature ...  [+] Show more