Article 2010

Vocational education and training - an engine for economic growth and a vehicle for social inclusion?

NA
Nilsson, Anders Peter
International Journal of Training and Development
Journal · Vol. 14 · Issue 4 · pp. 251-272
Abstract

Vocational education and training (VET) has in recent years enjoyed a revival for two major reasons. Firstly, it is regarded as a suitable means of promoting economic growth. Secondly, it is seen as a potentially powerful tool for fostering social inclusion. In this review, these assumed effects are critically examined on the basis of the vastly expanding literature in the field. Evidence of the productivity-enhancing effects of VET at company level is quite solid, but evidence of the effect on overall economic growth is far from conclusive. The effects on social inclusion are uncertain because reform of VET systems has not been sufficient and because it has proved difficult to bring about the necessary institutional change. The review identifies policy implications and makes some suggestions for future research. © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Keywords

Author Keywords

Not provided

Index Keywords

Author Affiliations
Ekonomisk-Historiska Institutionen, Lund, Skane, Sweden
Funding & Acknowledgements
No funding information
References 10 References
1 Abdel-Wahab, Mohamed S., An exploration of the relationship between training grants and profitability of UK construction companies, International Journal of Training and Development, 12, 3, pp. 188-205, (2008)
2 Sung, Johnny, Towards A Framework For The Comparative Analysis Of National Systems Of Skill Formation, International Journal of Training and Development, 4, 1, pp. 8-25, (2000)
3 Autor, David H., Why do temporary help firms provide free general skills training?, Quarterly Journal of Economics, 116, 4, pp. 1409-1448, (2001)
4 Aynsley, Sarah A., Imagined futures: Why are vocational learners choosing not to progress to HE?, Journal of Education and Work, 23, 2, pp. 129-143, (2010)
5 Barber, Jamie, The informally trained mechanic: Skill acquisition in the workplace, Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 55, 2, pp. 133-148, (2003)
6 Baum, Tom G., Skills and training for the hospitality sector: A review of issues, Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 54, 3, pp. 343-364, (2002)
7 Human Capital, (1964)
8 Billett, Stephen Richard, Building community through social partnerships around vocational education and training, Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 56, 1, pp. 51-68, (2004)
9 Billett, Stephen Richard, Compliance, engagement and commitment: Increasing employer expenditure in training, Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 55, 3, pp. 281-300, (2003)
10 Billett, Stephen Richard, Enhancing enterprise expenditure on VET: Policy goals and mechanisms, Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 57, 1, pp. 5-23, (2005)
Quick Actions
Full Text via DOI
Citation Metrics
88
Times Cited (Scopus)
References 10
Document Identifiers