Multi-level policy transfer in Turkey and its impact on the development of the vocational education and training (VET) sector

Abstract

In its attempt to become a member of the European Union (EU), Turkey is challenged to upgrade its workforce to keep up with economic developments and improve the living conditions in the country. Multiple policy players on global, European and transnational levels are assisting in reforming Turkey's vocational education and training (VET) sector. Based on the analysis of policy papers, the policy transfer processes that are taking place at these different levels have been critically examined. The authors project that in the medium term, EU policies might have the most significant effect on the future shape of VET in the country. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

Keywords

Author Keywords

vocational education and training policy transfer Turkey development co-operation

Index Keywords

Author Affiliations

European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training, Thermi, Central Macedonia, Greece

Department of Vocational Education and Human Resources Development, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany

Funding & Acknowledgements

World Bank Group

The data and information presented here are the result of a comprehensive document analysis that included scientific literature (e.g., AltInay 2004; Okyay 1997a) but also many grey and white policy papers derived for example from the World Bank, the European Training Foundation (ETF), the European Commission or the Ministry for Education and Research in Germany. After an explanation of the basic terms and concepts, the paper continues with an overview of the context for VET policy transfer in Turkey. In the following sections, the authors present recent examples of policy transfer on the global, regional and bilateral levels concerning programme contents, the underlying ideology and motivation as well as the impact. The last section seeks to examine the relationship between these three levels and to give an outline on the future challenges of VET in Turkey.

European Commission

The data and information presented here are the result of a comprehensive document analysis that included scientific literature (e.g., AltInay 2004; Okyay 1997a) but also many grey and white policy papers derived for example from the World Bank, the European Training Foundation (ETF), the European Commission or the Ministry for Education and Research in Germany. After an explanation of the basic terms and concepts, the paper continues with an overview of the context for VET policy transfer in Turkey. In the following sections, the authors present recent examples of policy transfer on the global, regional and bilateral levels concerning programme contents, the underlying ideology and motivation as well as the impact. The last section seeks to examine the relationship between these three levels and to give an outline on the future challenges of VET in Turkey.

References 10 References

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7 Deutsche Berufsbildung Weltweit Vermarkten the German Vocational Training Market Globally, (2008)

8 Kompetenzmessung National Und International, (2010)

9 European Educational Research Journal, (2008)

10 Journal for Critical Education Policy Studies, (2010)

Multi-level policy transfer in Turkey and its impact on the development of the vocational education and training (VET) sector

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