The interaction between technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and economic development in advanced countries

The economies in developed countries have been undergoing rapid transformation in the last two decades. The most important characteristics of the transformation are: the tertiarization of the economy; technological innovations and modernization; intensified competition in the world market; globalization; demographic trends and privatization. These changes have been creating new demands for more adaptable, multi-skilled and creative labour. To meet the demands, it seems necessary to reduce the gap between academic education and vocational education; to raise the general education background of vocational education; to widen the route from vocational education to higher education; to deploy competence-based curriculum development mechanisms; to strengthen the co-operation between the education authorities and employment organization as well as industries; to decentralize the delivery system and to involve employers more in the process of TVET. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.