National Programmes in Technical and Vocational Education: economic and education relationships¹

Abstract

Abstract The article considers the nexus between the economy and between secondary technical and vocational education as evidenced in contrasting policies and outcomes across countries. In particular the article discusses trends in the relative importance of secondary technical and vocational education in national education and training programmes, with emphasis on developing countries; it considers conflicts stemming from the dual linkages of technical and vocational education to the education system as a whole and to labour markets; it examines critically the extensive literature on the economic efficacy of vocational education; it considers the new challenges facing vocational education systems from economic, technological and structural change; it concludes with a discussion of measures that are increasingly being advocated to improve the link between vocational education systems and between labour market needs and employment opportunities.