ERIC Number: EJ1280554
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020
Pages: 23
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1363-9080
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Available Date: N/A
Higher Education, Initial Vocational Education and Training and Continuing Education and Training: Where Should the Balance Lie?
Mason, Geoff
Journal of Education and Work, v33 n7-8 p468-490 2020
This paper reviews evidence on two serious imbalances in the UK education and training system: The heavy bias in public spending on initial education and training (for 18-24-year olds) towards higher education at the expense of further education and vocational education and training. The very weak government support for continuing education and training (for adults aged 25-plus) compared to that provided for initial education and training for new entrants to the workforce. The effects of these imbalances are compounded by a marked reluctance by many employers to invest in work-based training, especially long-duration apprenticeship training. In a concluding policy section, the paper discusses ways in which both major imbalances could be reduced by abolishing tuition fees: first, for all Further Education courses up to Level 5 (for example, Foundation degrees, Higher National Diplomas); and second, for work-related, community learning and general-interest courses which do not necessarily lead to formal qualifications. It also considers options for short-duration continuing education and training for adults of all ages to be encouraged without undermining current efforts to reform and improve apprenticeship training.
Descriptors: Higher Education, Vocational Education, Continuing Education, Foreign Countries, Apprenticeships, Educational Policy, Educational Change, Educational Improvement, Educational Finance, Federal Aid, Tuition
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; Adult Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom
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