Throughout the 1980s and 90s there was international interest in the UK's extensive experience (which began in the 1970s) with measures to alleviate youth unemployment. Today the UK attracts international attention on account of its low rates of youth unemployment and NEET, its (still) relatively rapid education-to-work transitions, and (according…

Understanding today's Vocational Education and Training (VET) systems requires a comprehension of the rise and development, i.e. of the foundations of topical VET. This book provides a comparative view of its development in Europe. The contributions of renowned authors give insight into conceptual questions, cases, and challenges in this field.

This report sets out a framework for vocational learning and vocational education and training (VET) delivered to secondary students. It updates the New Framework for Vocational Education in Schools released in 2001 by the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs. The framework has been developed by a working group…

This article explores teachers and trainers didactical practices in different contexts in Norwegian VET: schools and workplaces. With the introduction of e-resources and e-portfolios in VET, learners as well as teachers and trainers experience a more hybrid learning-arena, which claims for a re-contextualization of vocational didactics as well as…

This article builds on results from studies of two new pathways in Swedish upper secondary VET. A major reform was launched in 2011 and the restructuring was presented by the Minister of Education as a "renaissance for VET education". The conclusion of the Upper Secondary Commission is that "students shall be more specialised within…

Over the past 25 years, the total number of students in college has increased by about 50 percent. But the number of students graduating with degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects has remained more or less constant. In 2009 the United States graduated 89,140 students in the visual and performing arts, more…

The Dual System of apprenticeship in Germany is comprehensive, highly regulated, and highly regarded by participants. changes may include greater flexibility or differentiation. Modern Apprenticeship in Scotland is highly fragmented, voluntary, and held in low esteem. A legislative framework and consensual governance may be required. (Contains 60…

An analysis of the way international comparative research is conducted highlights the limits and contradictions of exchange procedures and mechanisms between science, decision making, and policy implementation while emphasizing the importance of a comparative approach for apprenticeship. (Author/JOW)

Examines recent changes, and the motives behind them, in teacher education in England and Wales. Recent years have seen a move toward reducing the role of higher education and creating school-based systems of training reminiscent of apprenticeships. Motives behind this reform trend appear to be primarily political. (SLD)

Discusses the education crisis and the debate on the merits of business involvement in secondary education. Compares the U.S. system to that in Germany and Japan. (JOW)

This paper examines how culture and communication are transmitted via storytelling and apprenticeships. Recent studies are reviewed that reveal that storytelling teaches important lessons to students and that other ancient customs, like apprenticeships, are also possible solutions for problems facing contemporary educators. Relevance to technology…

Although youth apprenticeship models appear to have great potential, the following problems must be addressed before the strategy can succeed: (1) securing employer involvement; (2) assuring and improving the quality of on-the-job learning; and (3) confronting equity issues in public policy in incorporating work into the core educational system.…