The changing nature and role of vocational education and training in Europe: volume 6: vocationally oriented education and training at higher education levels: expansion and diversification in European countries

This research paper is the fifth in a series produced as part of the Cedefop project 'The changing nature and role of VET (2016-18)'. Based on analysis of developments over the past two decades (1995-2015), the report provides important insights into developments and change processes related to vocationally oriented education and training at higher levels (levels 5 to 8 of the European qualifications framework). Building on detailed national case studies, the report demonstrates the expansion and diversification of vocationally oriented education and training offered at higher levels in...  [+] Show more

This research paper is the fifth in a series produced as part of the Cedefop project 'The changing nature and role of VET (2016-18)'. Based on analysis of developments over the past two decades (1995-2015), the report provides important insights into developments and change processes related to vocationally oriented education and training at higher levels (levels 5 to 8 of the European qualifications framework). Building on detailed national case studies, the report demonstrates the expansion and diversification of vocationally oriented education and training offered at higher levels in European countries and the variations in how countries use the higher levels: there is evidence for strengthening vocational principles at higher levels in various ways as well as for strengthening academic principles. It also covers current debates and potential future challenges, including juggling labour market demands and wider societal values, finding the right balance between academic and vocational principles, and achieving parity of esteem between academically oriented and vocationally oriented qualifications at higher levels, by improving awareness and visibility of the latter.

Excerpt from publisher's website.

The case studies are as follows: The changing nature and role of vocational education and training in Europe: VET in higher education: country case studies: case study focusing on Austria / Viktor Fleischer (reviewed by Karin Luomi-Messerer); The changing nature and role of vocational education and training in Europe: VET in higher education: country case studies: case study focusing on Finland / Vesa Kokkonen; The changing nature and role of vocational education and training in Europe: VET in higher education: country case studies: case study focusing on France / Alain Michel and Jean-Francois Cervel; The changing nature and role of vocational education and training in Europe: VET in higher education: country case studies: case study focusing on Germany / Ute Hippach-Schneider; The changing nature and role of vocational education and training in Europe: VET in higher education: country case studies: case study focusing on Italy / Marco Innocenti and Veronica Messori; The changing nature and role of vocational education and training in Europe: VET in higher education: country case studies: case study focusing on Norway / Torgeir Nyen and Anna Hagen Tonder; The changing nature and role of vocational education and training in Europe: VET in higher education: country case studies: case study focusing on the Netherlands / Simon Broek; The changing nature and role of vocational education and training in Europe: VET in higher education: country case studies: case study focusing on United Kingdom (England) / Terence Hogarth and Lydia Baxter.