TECHNICAL & VOCATIONAL EDUCATION:VET Internationally, Technical Schools

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Lesson 29

TECHNICAL & VOCATIONAL EDUCATION

Vocational education (or Vocational Education and Training (VET), also called Career and Technical Education

(CTE)) prepares learners for careers that are based in manual or practical activities, traditionally non-academic

and totally related to a specific trade, occupation or vocation, hence the term, in which the learner participates. It

is sometimes referred to as technical education, as the learner directly develops expertise in a particular group of

techniques or technology.

Generally, vocation and career are used interchangeably. Vocational education might be contrasted with

education in a usually broader scientific field, which might concentrate on theory and abstract conceptual

knowledge, characteristic of tertiary education. Vocational education can be at the secondary or post-secondary

level and can interact with the apprenticeship system. Increasingly, vocational education can be recognised in

terms of recognition of prior learning and partial academic credit towards tertiary education (e.g., at a

university) as credit; however, it is rarely considered in its own form to fall under the traditional definition of a

higher education.

Up until the end of the twentieth century, vocational education focused on specific trades such as for example,

an automobile mechanic or welder, and was therefore associated with the activities of lower social classes. As a

consequence, it attracted a level of stigma. Vocational education is related to the age-old apprenticeship system

of learning.

However, as the labor market becomes more specialized and economies demand higher levels of skill,

governments and businesses are increasingly investing in the future of vocational education through publicly

funded training organizations and subsidized apprenticeship or traineeship initiatives for businesses. At the

post-secondary level vocational education is typically provided by an institute of technology, or by a local

community college.

Vocational education has diversified over the 20th century and now exists in industries such as retail, tourism,

information technology, funeral services and cosmetics, as well as in the traditional crafts and cottage industries

VET Internationally

Australia

In Australia vocational education and training is mostly post-secondary and provided through the Vocational

Education and Training (VET) system and by Registered Training Organisations. This system encompasses

both Government and private providers in a nationally recognised quality system based on agreed and

consistent assessment standards.

The National Centre for Vocational Education Research or NCVER is a not-for-profit company owned by the

federal, state and territory ministers responsible for training. It is responsible for collecting, managing,

analysing, evaluating and communicating research and statistics about vocational education and training (VET).

Commonwealth of Independent States

The largest and the most unified system of vocational education was created in the Soviet Union with the

Professional`no-tehnicheskoye uchilische and, Tehnikum. But it became less effective with the transition of the

economies of post-Soviet countries to a market economy.

Finland

There are two kinds of vocational education, secondary and post-secondary. Secondary education at a

vocational school (ammattikoulu) is usually taken immediately after primary school, at ages of 16-21. Some

programmes, however, require a secondary academic degree (ylioppilastutkinto, or matriculation examination).

The education is primarily vocational, and little academic general education is given.

With academic or vocational secondary education one can enter higher vocational schools (ammattikorkeakoulu,

or AMK). AMK degrees take 3,5-4,5 years. Legally, they are not university degrees in Finland, although in

foreign countries similar degrees may be called "university level". This is reflected by some Finnish schools

giving English titles such as Bachelor of Science, with no Finnish translation.

German language areas

Vocational education is an important part of the education systems in Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein and

Switzerland (including the French speaking part of the country).

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For example, in Germany a law (the Berufsausbildungsgesetz) was passed in 1969 which regulated and unified the

vocational training system and codified the shared responsibility of the state, the unions, associations and

chambers of trade and industry.

The system is very popular in modern Germany: in 2001, two thirds of young people aged under 22 began an

apprenticeship, and 78% of them completed it, meaning that approximately 51% of all young people under 22

have completed an apprenticeship. One in three companies offered apprenticeships in 2003; in 2004 the

government signed a pledge with industrial unions that all companies except very small ones must take on

apprentices.

The vocational education systems in the other German speaking countries are very similar to the German

system and a vocational qualification from one country is generally also recognized in the other states within

this area.

Additionally there is the Fachhochschule (FH) since the 1970s in West Germany and since the 1990s in Austria,

former East Germany, Liechtenstein and in Switzerland. Historically, Fachhochschulen were meant as a way of

academic qualification for people who went through an apprenticeship, especially in technical professions. This

is called Zweiter Bildungsweg (rough literal translation: second educational path), i.e., an alternative to the classical

academic career path from Gymnasium (school) to a university. However, nowadays Fachhochschule have

become a fixture in German higher education and a considerably percentage of the FH students do not have an

apprenticeship, but rather enter the FH straight after secondary school. Until recently, Fachhochschulen only

offered Diploma (FH) degrees (e.g., a diploma in engineering of social work) in programs which stretched over

7 or 8 semesters, and typically include one semester or so of industrial internship. More recently, many

Fachhochschulen switched to a system where they offer Bachelor's and Master's degrees.

New Zealand

New Zealand is served by 41 Industry Training Organizations(ITO). The unique element is that ITOs purchase

training as well as set standards and aggregate industry opinion about skills in the labour market. Industry

Training, as organised by ITOs, has expanded from apprenticeships to a more true life long learning situation

with, for example, over 10% of trainees aged 50 or over. Moreover much of the training is generic. This

challenges the prevailing idea of vocational education and the standard layperson view that it focuses on

apprenticeships.

The best source for information in New Zealand is through the Industry Training Federation: www.itf.org.nz.

Polytechnics, Private Training Establishments, Wananga and others also deliver vocational training, amongst

other areas.

United States

In the United States, the approach is varied from state to state. Most of the technical and vocational courses are

offered by Community Colleges, though several states have their own institutes of technology which are on an

equal accreditational footing with other state universities.

Historically, junior high schools and high schools have offered vocational courses such as home economics,

wood and metal shop, typing, business courses, drafting and auto repair, though schools have put more

emphasis on academics for all students because of standards based education reform. School to Work is a

series of federal and state initiatives to link academics to work, sometimes including spending time during the

day on a job site without pay.

Federal involvement is principally carried out through the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act.

Accountability requirements tied to the receipt of federal funds under this Act help provide some overall

leadership. The Office of Vocational and Adult Education within the US Department of Education also

supervises activities funded by the Act.

The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the largest private association dedicated to the

advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for careers. Its members include CTE teachers,

administrators, and researchers.

India

Vocational training in India is provided on a full time as well as part time basis. Full time programs are

generally offered through industrial training institutes. Part time programs are offered through state technical

education boards or universities who also offer full-time courses. Vocational training has been successful in

India only in industrial training institutes and that too in engineering trades. There are many private institutes in

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India which offer courses in vocational training and finishing, but most of them have not been recognized by

the Government of India. India is a pioneer in vocational training in Film & Television, and Information

Technology .AAFT

Traditional Education or Technical Education?

College is not for everyone, but that does not mean you shouldn't pursue some sort of higher education or job

training. When you think about your future, what do you envision? Are you doing something you love, or are

you just working for a paycheck? If you are one of the many who is trying to make a decision about where to

spend your money and invest your future, read on. This article provides a comparison of 4 year colleges and

technical schools. Which one is right for you?

How to choose between 4-year colleges and technical schools: Ask yourself these questions and then

consider the benefits and disadvantages of each type of school.

What are your goals? Do you have a specific career goal? What are your educational goals? Do you want to learn

as much as you can about a variety of subjects? Do you want to learn as much as you can about one specific

topic (become an expert)?

What are your strengths? Weaknesses? Would you benefit from a shorter more targeted program?

Lifestyle. How will school fit into your life? Would you benefit from non-traditional scheduling such as online,

evening, or distance learning? 4-year colleges and technical colleges both offer such options, but it varies by

school so check with any schools you are interested in attending.

What do you need? Realistically, what sort of degree or training do you need to pursue your dreams? Research

your desired field--know what the requirements are and how they compare to the programs you are

considering. The US Department of Education website offers resources for career and training research.

4-year Colleges

Some people like to learn just for the sake of learning, while some are more focused and driven and use school

as a steppingstone for job advancement. If you are interested in more scholarly pursuits a traditional 4-year

college might be your best option.

Benefits: liberal arts training applies to many fields, diverse topics to explore, prestige, "college life"

Disadvantages: expensive, time consuming, may get degree in area you no longer wish to pursue, high admission

standards and prerequisites, job market may be slower upon graduation-may require additional training

Technical Schools

If college was for everyone, technical schools would not exist. Some people may feel a stigma is attached to

technical schools. In a society where attending college has become standard, we lose sight of the value of skills

training. People feel abnormal and may be angry if they don't want to go to college but feel pressured to do so

anyway.

Benefits: shorter duration, focused programs, easier admission standards, flexible scheduling, certifications not

necessarily offered at 4-year colleges, hands on training

Disadvantages: may be viewed as less prestigious, can be expensive, may be less room for exploration of other

subjects, accreditation, for-profit institutions

Many of the fastest growing jobs do not require a bachelor's degree but do require post-secondary education

(education beyond high school). These jobs include:

· Medical Assistants

· Social and human service assistants

· Home health aides

· Medical records and health information technicians

· Physical therapist aides

· Physical therapist assistants

· Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors

· Veterinary technologists and technicians

· Hazardous materials removal workers

· Dental hygienists

· Occupational therapist aides

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Dental assistants

Personal and home care aides

Self-enrichment education teachers

Occupational therapist assistants

Environmental science and protection technicians, including health

Preschool teachers, except special education

Respiratory therapists

Sources: Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocational_education &

http://www.collegesearchengine.net/article/How-to-Decide-Between-a-4-year-College-and-Trade-School/1/

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