Vocational learning in schools: an international comparison

The authors look at the role of secondary schools in providing the foundations for effective vocational learning and improving the flow of highly capable learners to the workforce. Options to improve vocational learning in schools are proposed following an analysis of international innovations. The authors argue that the current [vocational education and training] VET in school programs have a narrow pedagogy, skewed participation levels, perverse funding incentives and lack employer recognition largely due to limited workplace learning opportunities. By examining the approaches used in...  [+] Show more

The authors look at the role of secondary schools in providing the foundations for effective vocational learning and improving the flow of highly capable learners to the workforce. Options to improve vocational learning in schools are proposed following an analysis of international innovations. The authors argue that the current [vocational education and training] VET in school programs have a narrow pedagogy, skewed participation levels, perverse funding incentives and lack employer recognition largely due to limited workplace learning opportunities. By examining the approaches used in Switzerland and Hong Kong, they conclude that a new Australian approach could be to reduce the amount of core content knowledge in order to enable students to develop essential capabilities such as critical thinking in a vocational context.

Edited excerpts from publication.