ABSTRACT

In this paper, which takes the form of a dialogue, we discuss the possible directions that vocational education might take in the contemporary social, economic and technological context of the early 21st century. Taking account of the unresolved debates around vocational education internationally and future global economic demands for expertise we discuss tensions and dichotomies that continue to shape the character of vocational education by questioning definitions of the ‘vocational’ historically and in current policy. These include: the relation between ‘vocational’ and ‘academic’ pathways and the possibility of their integration, the meaning of technical education, the purpose of vocational qualifications, the role of trade unions and employers, and whether there should be a ‘skills route’ for ‘low attainers’. The principal focus is on the English context, although the discussion draws on comparative examples where relevant, as well as broader factors likely to be significant in any country.

摘要

在这篇以对话形式出现的论文中，我们讨论了职业教育在 21 世纪初的当代社会、经济和技术背景下可能采取的方向。考虑到国际上围绕职业教育和未来全球经济对专业知识的需求尚未解决的争论，我们通过质疑历史上和当前政策中的“职业”定义来讨论继续塑造职业教育特征的紧张局势和二分法。其中包括：“职业”和“学术”途径之间的关系及其整合的可能性、技术教育的意义、职业资格的目的、工会和雇主的作用以及是否应该有“技能途径” '对于'低成就者'。