Competition or Complementarity Between Academic and Vocational Education? Status Quo, Challenges, and Future Perspectives

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

"The massive expansion of higher education across all continents has been one of the defining features of the late 20th and early 21st centuries" (Guri-Rosenblit/Sebkova/Teichler 2007, p.1). The level of education in the population worldwide has changed considerably. There are considerable differences between countries caused by the national economic and technological development, demographic structure, and national education systems. This symposium examines these differences focusing on Germany, Austria and Switzerland – all characterised by a strong vocational education and training system. Furthermore, the symposium explores reasons for the educational expansion and individuals’ educational decisions from a comparative perspective based on empirical data. Finally, the constellations of stakeholders and interests underlying the expansion of academic education and options for education policy are discussed.

Sub Unit

• World Education Research Association

Chair

• Philipp Christian Gonon, University of Zurich

Papers

• Vocational Education and Bachelor: How Swiss Education Is Balancing the Tension Between Academic and Vocational Needs and Credentials - Philipp Christian Gonon, University of Zurich

• Competition or Complementarity of Academic and Vocational Education in the Austrian Education System - Peter Schloegl, Klagenfurt University; Julia Stopper, University of Klagenfurt

• Practice Versus Theory: Is There a Competition Between Academic and Vocational Qualifications? Empirical Results From the German Labor Market - Silvia Annen, University of Bamberg; Michael Tiemann, Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training

• Advanced Vocational Training and Bachelor's Degree Programs in the Mirror of German Company Preferences - Tobias Maier

Discussant

• Leesa Mary Wheelahan, University of Toronto - OISE