an article by Robert Lerman (Urban Institute, Washington DC, USA; American University, Washington DC, USA and IZA, Bonn, Germany) published in IZA Journal of Labor Policy Volume 2 Number 6 (2013)
Abstract
Skills are a central source of high productivity and economic well-being. But what do we mean by productive skills?
Both with regard to measurement and policy, the primary focus in the U.S. has been on academic skills, as measured by tests of reading, writing and math abilities and by educational attainment, including degrees completed.
However, a new consensus is emerging that an array of non-academic skills and occupational skills may be at least as important for labour market success.
After reviewing the evidence on respective roles of various types of skills required by employers, this paper examines the skill-enhancing roles of several youth programmes and demonstrations, with an emphasis on how well these efforts raise non-academic skills directly through purposeful activities or indirectly as a result of other employment-enhancing services.
JEL classification: I28, J08, J24
Full text (PDF 23pp)
Showing posts with label vocational_learning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vocational_learning. Show all posts
Wednesday, 22 May 2013
Tuesday, 2 October 2012
Apprenticeships in England: an overview of current issues
an article by Dionne Lee (Teesside University, Middlesbrough) published in Higher Education, Skills and Work-based Learning Volumne 2 Issue 3 (2012)
Abstract
Purpose
Apprenticeships in England are currently experiencing a revival. The purpose of this paper is to provide a general overview of apprenticeships in England, examine current government policy, and explore current issues around the further development of apprenticeships.
Design/methodology/approach
Desk research, including reviewing other research articles and labour market intelligence has been carried out to provide a general overview of the issues.
Findings
Apprenticeships have traditionally been regarded as the vocational route to stable employment. Although they have sometimes suffered from a poor reputation they are now becoming an increasingly popular option for both younger and older people. The knowledge economy is driving up the demand for higher level skills and concurrent with this is the notion that, in today’s competitive labour market, experience is vital. Not only has this impacted on the popularity of apprenticeships but also upon more traditional “academic” routes such as higher education (HE). In addition it has raised questions about higher level skills and vocational education. The introduction of Higher Apprenticeships and work experience/real world interactions built into HE courses are establishing synergies between the two elements of the skills/education system; however, developing these synergies further is a critical issue for future consideration.
Originality/value
There is a proliferation of publications tracking the nature and value of apprenticeships. This paper traces apprenticeships and their evolution and examines how practices adopted can be applied to newer vocational options being integrated into HE. The paper considers apprenticeships and other vocational options, building on the author’s own discussions with employers and recent graduates.
Abstract
Purpose
Apprenticeships in England are currently experiencing a revival. The purpose of this paper is to provide a general overview of apprenticeships in England, examine current government policy, and explore current issues around the further development of apprenticeships.
Design/methodology/approach
Desk research, including reviewing other research articles and labour market intelligence has been carried out to provide a general overview of the issues.
Findings
Apprenticeships have traditionally been regarded as the vocational route to stable employment. Although they have sometimes suffered from a poor reputation they are now becoming an increasingly popular option for both younger and older people. The knowledge economy is driving up the demand for higher level skills and concurrent with this is the notion that, in today’s competitive labour market, experience is vital. Not only has this impacted on the popularity of apprenticeships but also upon more traditional “academic” routes such as higher education (HE). In addition it has raised questions about higher level skills and vocational education. The introduction of Higher Apprenticeships and work experience/real world interactions built into HE courses are establishing synergies between the two elements of the skills/education system; however, developing these synergies further is a critical issue for future consideration.
Originality/value
There is a proliferation of publications tracking the nature and value of apprenticeships. This paper traces apprenticeships and their evolution and examines how practices adopted can be applied to newer vocational options being integrated into HE. The paper considers apprenticeships and other vocational options, building on the author’s own discussions with employers and recent graduates.
Thursday, 31 May 2012
UNESCO: Transforming technical and vocational education and training
This UNESCO study looks in depth at the major trends and policy developments in technical and vocational education and training (tVet) since the second International Congress held in Seoul in 1999. This work has two main objectives.
The first is to analyse world trends in tVet in the context of wider development trends since the second International Congress.
The second is to advance conceptual and policy debates on tVet to address persisting challenges and to proceed towards future frontiers.
The work takes stock of the current situation and asks what policy measures might now be taken, in times of economic uncertainty, to facilitate tVet learning and skills progression by more young people and adults.
This study is available here for download in all the 6 UN Official Languages: English (PDF 28pp), French, Spanish, Chinese, Russian and Arabic.
Note: I don’t know whether the internet was on a go-slow but that took ages to download in order to check link and number of pages! Interesting read if you can get it.
via UN Pulse from U.N. Dag Hammarskjöld Library
The first is to analyse world trends in tVet in the context of wider development trends since the second International Congress.
The second is to advance conceptual and policy debates on tVet to address persisting challenges and to proceed towards future frontiers.
The work takes stock of the current situation and asks what policy measures might now be taken, in times of economic uncertainty, to facilitate tVet learning and skills progression by more young people and adults.
This study is available here for download in all the 6 UN Official Languages: English (PDF 28pp), French, Spanish, Chinese, Russian and Arabic.
Note: I don’t know whether the internet was on a go-slow but that took ages to download in order to check link and number of pages! Interesting read if you can get it.
via UN Pulse from U.N. Dag Hammarskjöld Library
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