Guide to Vocational Education and Training

This guide to vocational education and training (VET) in England traces the endlessly repeating problems which have, again and again, stunted progression and growth in VET in England over past decades. The authors provide an analysis of the overall situation affecting VET, supplemented by positive suggestions for a more promising future. As VET policy reform in England is now high on the governments agenda, in view of its role in economic competitiveness, the book analyses the complex, problematic 'skills agenda' including new developments in the VET system, comparing this with European counterparts, notably in Germany and France. Examination of the recent past and current state of vocational policy, theory and practice in England reflects on the implications of recent policy developments, including the Government White Papers on FE 'Skills: getting on in business, getting on at work' (March 2005) (indexed at TD/IRD 88.162), and 'Further education: raising skills, improving life chances' (March 2006) (indexed at TD/IRD 88.158), Foster Review 'Realising the potential: a review of the future role of further education colleges' (indexed at TD/IRD 88.164), Skills Review in 2005 and the 14-19 qualifications curriculum reform in 2005 also. In conclusion the authors provide specific recommendations towards achieving a complete turnaround in VET. Chapters in the book include: (1) Vocational education and training in England: 'Will Cinderella ever make it to the ball?'; (2) 'Groundhog day': the history and development of VET in England; (3) 'They do things differently over there': vocational education in Europe; (4) 'Competence is all': behaviourist reductionism in the English VET curriculum: the rise of skill-talk and competence-based education and training; (5) 'If you can understand it, you deserve an NVQ level 5': the structure and funding of vocational education in England; (6) You take the high skills road and I'll take the low skills road; (7) Possible futures for VET in England.