Role Of Vocational Education Research Articles

Vocational education and food and beverage experience: issues for career development

The research presented here examines the use of vocational education and food and beverage experience in the development of a hotel manager’s career. To achieve this aim, the paper begins by introducing the concept of career development. This is followed by an outline of the current debate surrounding the shifting emphasis from craft to managerial skills training. Next, a range of findings from a study of the career paths of hotel managers in the UK is presented. These include the role of vocational education in career development, and experience in the food and beverage function as a recognised career track to general management. The study indicates the prevalence of vocational education as a starting point for managers’ careers, and illustrates that, despite calls from industry for increased management training, traditional food and beverage experience is still important for a career in the hospitality industry. The implications of these findings for career development are discussed.

VOCATIONAL SECONDARY EDUCATION

Most secondary school systems maintain a distinction between academic and vocational education. Scholars ascribing to human capital theory view vocational education as a safety net, which enhances students' chances of finding gainful employment as skilled workers. Others view it as a mechanism of social reproduction, which diverts working-class students from higher education and the professions. We hypothesize that the extent to which vocational secondary education performs each of these roles - safety net and diversion - can vary by country. Drawing on earlier work, we offer several hypotheses concerning the effects of school systemic characteristics on the role of vocational education in shaping patterns of labour force entry for young men and women. We then test these hypotheses through secondary analysis of data for countries with diverse educational systems. We find that in most countries secondary vocational education reduced the odds of unemployment, and the chances of someone entering the labor force as an unskilled worker. Second, the advantages associated with vocational education are most pronounced in countries where vocational secondary education is specific rather than general. Third, graduates of vocational secondary education attain lower occupational prestige than that attained by graduates of academic tertiary education. This disadvantage of vocational education is most pronounced in countries where vocational education also serves as an effective safety net. This is an important finding because it means that 'diversion' and 'safety net' effects are not mutually exclusive but are the flip side of the same coin.

Impact of school and vocational education on smoking behaviour: results from a large-scale study on adolescents and young adults in Germany.

While level of school education has been related to prevalence of cigarette smoking in a number of studies, less information is available on the role of vocational education and related occupational contexts. This study analyses the relative contribution of different types of educational experience to explaining prevalence and intensity of cigarette smoking in a large sample of female and male vocational trainees in Germany. A standardized questionnaire on smoking behaviour and educational performance was applied in 27 educational centers across the country, covering a total of 20,527 respondents (77.3% of the original sample; women: 59.5%, men: 40.5%). Bivariate analysis revealed a high prevalence of current smokers among vocational trainees, both men (51.2%) and women (49.4%). Men were more likely to be heavy smokers, especially with increasing age. In both sexes, prevalence of smoking was particularly high in the following occupational groups: hairdressers, butchers, painters, service personnel (hotels, restaurants), shop assistants/sellers and cooks. Multivariate analysis taking educational level, type of vocational training (occupation), age, sex and urban-rural background into account revealed the highest prevalence odds ratios (POR) of smoking in subjects with the lowest educational level (POR = 5.19 for men and 4.56 for women). Even stronger effects were observed with smoking intensity (> or = 20 cigarettes/day): in men with the lowest educational level the risk of being a heavy smoker was 8.92, and in women 13.54 compared to subjects with a high-school leaving qualification. Poor school education must be considered the relatively strongest predictor of prevalence and intensity of cigarette smoking in a large sample of female and male vocational trainees. Preventive efforts should be directed at specific target groups such as those identified by this study.

The federal role in vocational education: A case study of South Carolina

This article provides a brief description of vocational education in South Carolina, stressing the role of the federal government in enhancing the delivery of vocational education to students, especially to special populations, such as disadvantaged and handicapped students. The study relies on some statewide data as well as on data collected in four school districts. A comparison of the four districts offers insights about commonalities as well as differences among the districts. A research agenda is proposed, its purpose being to seek generalizations for some of the observations noted in the case studies.

The Role of Vocational Education and the Young Special Needs Child

Vocational education improves the quality of caregiving for the young special needs child in several ways: (a) Vocational education is a vehicle to train child care staff who work with the young special needs child; (b) vocational education is an ancillary service that provides child care for single parents who are enrolled in vocational education programs; and (c) vocational education trains future parents who may have a young special needs child. This article illustrates the relationship between vocational education and early childhood special education. The article outlines curriculum used in teaching child care, the purpose of the program, and the training experiences students enrolled in child care programs receive.

Current Themes in VOCATIONAL EDUCATION and TRAINING POLICIES: Part 2

Part I treated the context of vocational education and training and discussed the major causes influencing national Governments to change their role in vocational education and training. This article discusses the consequences of this changing role, particularly as it concerns the devolution of responsibility for vocational education and training to local authorities — and the ways in which these local authorities are reacting to this increased responsibility. The issue of devolving funding is, however, generally unresolved by most Governments.

Current Themes in VOCATIONAL EDUCATION and TRAINING POLICIES:

This overview of current themes in vocational education and training policies and systems is presented in three parts. PART 1 treats the context of vocational education and training and discusses the major issues influencing national Governments to change their role in vocational education and training. PART 2 discusses the common themes in how central Governments are changing their role in vocational education and training, particularly concerning the devolution of training responsibility to local bodies. The ways in which vocational education and training systems controlled by these local bodies are reacting to this increased responsibility are pursued in detail. PART 3 discusses the growing realization by central Governments that their responsibility for economic development and productivity can be discharged by a closer focus on vocational education and training, not at the delivery level, but at a policy level which includes both policies for vocational preparation of all citizens — particularly youth — and policies which promote new and existing enterprises which show high returns on investment and productivity.

The Role Of Vocational Education In Agriculture--Economic Efficiency

This issue of The Journal presents another in the series of "debate the issues" articles authored by leaders in agricultural education. The Role of Vocational Education in Agriculture is the focus of this debate. Martin McMillion, of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, advocates Economic Efficiency, while Maynard Iverson, of North Carolina State University, calls for Socialization.

The Role Of Vocational Education In Agriculture--Socialization

This issue of The Journal presents another in the series of "debate the issues" articles authored by leaders in agricultural education. The Role of Vocational Education in Agriculture is the focus of this debate. Martin McMillion, of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, advocates Economic Efficiency, while Maynard Iverson, of North Carolina State University, calls for Socialization.

The Role of Vocational Education in Career Education

The author discusses some of the recent social changes which have brought new attention and strengthened de finitions to career education. In the process, he dispels some shopworn myths and indicates the place of voca tional education in the newly-defined concept of career education.

The Role Of Vocational Education In Effective Manpower Utilization

The Role Of Vocational Education In Effective Manpower Utilization