The Role of Vocational Education and Training in Promoting Lifelong Learning in Germany and England

Abstract

This study highlights the emergence of lifelong learning as the main strategy in the education and training policy of the European Union (EU). The EU's 'Memorandum on lifelong learning' (indexed at TD/IRD 88.400) states that lifelong learning must become the guiding principle for provision and participation across the 'full continuum of learning contexts'. The study focuses on vocational education and training (VET) as an important facet of this continuum and investigates the role of VET in promoting lifelong learning in England and Germany. Based on the assumption that education and training systems have to address similar core issues in the context of lifelong learning, the six Key Messages (KMs) of the EU's 'Memorandum on lifelong learning', which reflect such core issues, are used as the analytical framework of the study. They are: (1) new basic skills for all; (2) more investment in human resources; (3) innovation in teaching and learning; (4) valuing learning; (5) rethinking guidance and counselling; and (6) bringing learning closer to home. The study examines the emergence of lifelong learning as the central strategy of the EU's education and training policy, tracing its development up to the present day, and focusing on EU policy after the mid-1990s and the current EU concept of lifelong learning and its objectives. It then describes the main patterns of VET in Germany and England using the concept of qualification styles, focusing on initial training but taking into account the whole system. This is followed by an examination of the role of VET in promoting lifelong learning in the two countries, using the six KMs as the analytical framework. The summary reveals that the approaches for promoting lifelong learning as well as perceptions of lifelong learning differ between the two countries. The author locates these findings within the wider context of EU education and training policy, critically examines the EU policy on lifelong learning, and highlights further questions for research. Appendices provide additional information to illustrate specific aspects of some issues.