Pathways and Participation in Vocational and Technical Education and

by OECD Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

The OECD countries have widely differing traditions regarding basic vocational training. This publication, prepared as part of the VOTEC project on "The Changing Role of Vocational and Technical Education and Training", is designed to help towards a better understanding of the internal logic and workings of these different systems. Education and training systems propose differentiated and interconnected pathways, each of which can be broken down into a series of programmes. But what are the factors that explain participation of young people in VOTEC and the way it has developed over time? A number of answers have been formulated and are examined here in the light of ten national reports. The wealth of information contained in the reports is brought together for the first time in this publication, which explains basic concepts and assesses what can be learnt from national experience. This both conceptual and pragmatic approach should help national decision-makers abandon ready-made ideological responses in favour of innovatory solutions based on experience and adapted to the traditions of their countries.

390 pages, Paperback

First published January 22, 1998

About the author

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an intergovernmental economic organisation with 35 member countries, founded in 1961 to stimulate economic progress and world trade. It is a forum of countries describing themselves as committed to democracy and the market economy, providing a platform to compare policy experiences, seeking answers to common problems, identify good practices and coordinate domestic and international policies of its members.

In 1948, the OECD originated as the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation (OEEC), led by Robert Marjolin of France, to help administer the Marshall Plan (which was rejected by the Soviet Union and its satellite states). This would be achieved by allocating American financial aid and implementing economic programs for the reconstruction of Europe after World War II. (Similar reconstruction aid was sent to the war-torn Republic of China and post-war Korea, but not under the name "Marshall Plan".)

In 1961, the OEEC was reformed into the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development by the Convention on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and membership was extended to non-European states. Most OECD members are high-income economies with a very high Human Development Index (HDI) and are regarded as developed countries.

The OECD's headquarters are at the Château de la Muette in Paris, France. The OECD is funded by contributions from member states at varying rates.