Models of private sector involvement in vocational education and training

Abstract

Since 2008 youth unemployment and poverty have been a challenge for many countries. In order to equip young people in practical knowledge and skills and help them in transition to labour market governments started to invest in vocation education and training (VET). However effective VET is hard to build. In the text I analyse qualitatively data from 23 national reports covering VET systems prepared during Torino Process for European Training Foundation (ETF). The analysis shows that there are many obstacles to overcome: low prestige and attractiveness of VET for youngsters and their parents, aging work force, pending reforms on school management, ability to form partnerships between public and private sector. The text describes successes and challenges connected to private sector involvement in VET and builds on a theory of partnerships from Marriot and Goyder (2009) and Hands (2005). Additionally the paper provides examples of good practices, such as: clear division of responsibilities between schools and employers, tax incentives for employers, cooperation between state, university and companies.