The aim of the paper is to identify and analyse patterns and trends in enrolment in upper secondary initial vocational education and training (IVET) in Europe over the period 1995 to 2015. The research produced findings on comparability of the international data as well as trends in enrolment in upper secondary IVET and its share of enrolment in…

Context: Thailand is facing skilled labour shortages, which has prevented the country from achieving significant economic progress. This paper examines Thailand's vocational education policy discourses from 1992 to 2014 and how successful such policies were in building the country's skilled labour force. Approach: This study utilised a qualitative…

Elementary and secondary science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education is the foundation for students' entry into postsecondary STEM majors as well as a wide variety of STEM occupations. Proficiency in STEM fields is vital to economic growth and international competitiveness and important for all citizens in an increasingly…

Recent vocational education and training (VET) reforms in many countries have focused on reducing the number of VET qualifications available and restructuring qualifications so that they better meet the needs of working life. This literature review provides examples of how VET qualifications have been rationalised in various countries and briefly…

Human development and rights-based approaches to education have been gaining support among international organisations and development agencies as alternative frameworks to human capital orthodoxy. While these global trends have been well-documented in the international development literature, there is little empirical evidence into what extent,…

Despite a highly developed U.S. adult education system, 90% of adults aged 20 years and older considered the least educated did not participate recently in formal or nonformal education. What are nonparticipants' characteristics, learning backgrounds, and skill levels? What predicts their likelihood of "not" participating in recent…

Purpose: The quality of vocational education and training (VET) processes plays an important role in international education policies and research. In India, issues of quality came into focus in recent years due to an increased demand for skilled workers, and continuing challenges in the area of quality of VET. Existing quality assurance…

Social demand for higher education has more than doubled in the past 20 years. However, only one-third of all countries' higher education systems are enrolling more than 50% of the traditional age cohort. Despite major advancements in achieving higher levels of access and participation, inequalities and inequities in higher education persist and…

This study on flexible learning pathways in higher education (FLPs in HE) was commissioned by the UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP). It is a part of a global research project to determine the effectiveness of national provisions for inclusive and equitable access to quality higher education and lifelong learning…

For the purpose of finding out how competency-based training (CBT) approach is customized, how syllabi are adjusted and aligned on CBT and what positive outcomes were registered as a consequence, the International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP)-Dakar and the Francophonie Institute for Education and Training (IFEF) conducted a joint…

The International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP)-UNESCO Dakar and the Francophonie Institute for Education and Training (IFEF) wanted to study how the competency-based training (CBT) was adapted, what contextualisation and adaptation of programmes according to the CBT has taken place, and what positive practices have made the CBT…

The International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP)-UNESCO Dakar and the Francophonie Institute for Education and Training (IFEF) wanted to study how the competency-based training (CBT) was adapted, what contextualisation and adaptation of programmes according to the CBT has taken place, and what positive practices have made the CBT…

The International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP)-UNESCO Dakar and the Francophonie Institute for Education and Training (IFEF) wanted to study how the competency-based training (CBT) was adapted, what contextualisation and adaptation of programmes according to the CBT has taken place, and what positive practices have made the CBT…

This publication is the sixth in a series produced as part of the Cedefop project The changing nature and role of VET (2016-18). Based on analysis of developments over the past two decades (1995-2015), the report provides important insights into developments and change processes related to vocationally oriented education and training at higher…

According to the 'International Standard Classification of Education' (ISCED), 'Continuing Education' is composed of the 'Continuing Primary and Lower Secondary Adult Education' (ISCED1, ISCED2), followed by the 'Adult Education and Training' System (ISCED3), including an 'Upper Secondary Education System' (ISCED4 and finally, the 'Tertiary…