Documents and publications

 

Descy, Pascaline; Tessaring, Manfred
Training and learning for competence.
Second report on vocational training research in Europe: executive summary.
Luxembourg: CEDEFOP, 2002. 52p.

 

This publication summarises the main findings and conclusions of the second report on vocational education and training (VET) research in Europe ‘Training and learning for competence’ which is part of the reporting series Cedefop started in 1998. The aim of the reports is to give a comprehensive overview on the state of the art of VET research in Europe, on the main theoretical and conceptual approaches, on empirical findings and to discuss implications for policy, research and practice.

The summary that you have before you attempts to provide an overview on the main topics, findings and conclusions presented in the second research report. Readers who are interested to gain deeper insight into specific issues are invited to refer to the synthesis report and/or to the background report.

Introduction

Definition and role of vocational education and training

Broadly defined, vocational education and training (VET) comprises all more or less organised or structured activities – whether or not they lead to a recognised qualification – which aim to provide people with knowledge, skills and competences that are necessary and sufficient in order to perform a job or a set of jobs. Trainees in initial or continuing training thus undertake work preparation or adapt their skills to changing requirements.

VET is independent of its venue, of the age or other characteristicsof participants, and of their previous level of qualification. The content of VET could be job-specific, directed to a broader range of jobs or occupations, or a mixture of both; VET may also include general education elements. However, the definition of VET and continuing training (CVT) in individual countries is different.

Function and objectives of VET research

Education and training policies, as with other policies, have to consider complex relationships between education and training and the socio-economic system. It is the task of research to shed light on these aspects in order to analyse, identify and explain these relationships, to improve our understanding of causes and effects, and to identify the means and strategies which are expected to be effective and acceptable in solving a problem.

In particular VET research aims to:
(a) describe and explain the systems, conditions and frameworks for processes involved in acquiring and updating vocational skills and competences;
(b) provide information on the interactions between VET and other areas of social action. Those interactions concern the legal and institutional framework, interdependencies with social, economic, technological and demographic change and the behaviour of the different actors in these fields;
(c) demonstrate its relevance to the option-seeking and decision-making of the various protagonists.

Reporting on VET research in Europe

The reports on VET research in Europe published regularly by Cedefop intend to improve transparency on VET research issues in Europe, by pooling the findings of different research disciplines and, at the same time, by properly positioning other fields of social action in terms of
their relationship to initial and continuing vocational training. Furthermore, the reports indicate the implications of research results for the various protagonists concerned – politicians, institutions, social partners, enterprises, individuals – and draw attention to areas where research coverage is too thin and needs building up.

The second research report builds upon the first edition published in 1998/99(1). Some topics have been developed further, others have been updated to consider new research findings, and some have been introduced to reflect the current debate.
The second research report consists of three publications
(a) the executive summary that you have before you which attempts to provide an overview on the main topics, findings and conclusions presented in the second research report;
(b) a synthesis report which provides a comprehensive overview on the state of the art of VET
research in Europe, on the main theoretical and conceptual approaches, empirical findings and
implications for decision-makers and researchers;
(c) a background report (3 volumes, effectively the basis for the synthesis report) which contains contributions on different topics from renowned researchers across Europe.
The list of contributions to the background report can be found in the Annex. Other bibliographical references were not included in this summary. The reader may find all bibliographical references in the synthesis report.

1 For bibliographical references on Cedefop’s research reports cf. page 2.

For more information about this document please see:
http://www2.trainingvillage.gr/etv/publication/download/panorama/4009_en.pdf

 

<< Index Labour competencies

 

The Inter-American Centre for Knowledge Development in Vocational Training (ILO/Cinterfor)
Avda. Uruguay 1238 - Montevideo - Uruguay - Tel: (5982) 908 6023 - 902 0557 - 908 0545 - Fax: (5982) 902 1305
webmaster@cinterfor.org.uy

Copyright © 1996-2008 International Labour Organisation (ILO) - Disclaimer