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The Linkage Between Vocational Schools and Industries Cooperation
The Linkage Between Vocational Schools and Industries Cooperation
Abstract: The Lack of skills valuable in local and global labor markets has been a root
cause of high youth unemployment thus being a constraint to economic growth,
employment and income. So, many countries embrace vocational education as a
solution to this problem. Since the main aims of vocational education are: preparing the
graduates with skills, knowledge, competencies as well as the right attitude for the world
of work where graduates can work independently or recruited in the existing job
vacancies which can lead to improvement in the national income and productivity of the
country making it competitive in the global economy. However, many vocational school
graduates have not been fully absorbed by the industries or world of work leading to
questions of “why is it like that vis-a-vis TVET objectives of employable skills?”
Therefore, this paper analyzes this problem in relation to the linkage between the
vocational schools’ cooperation with industries as a solution to improving competence
skills, knowledge and attitude of learners required by the industries through matching
TVET programs with the industry needs thus bridging competence and quality standard
for high performance exploring comparison case studies in developed and developing
countries.
According to Gary Becker (1995) & Joel Spring (2015), Education, Skills and Knowledge
have become crucial determinant of a persons’ and a nation’s productivity in this century. It is
now even worthy for one to call it an “Age of Human Capital” in the sense that the primary
determinant of a country’s standard of living is how well it succeeds in developing and utilizing
the skills, knowledge, health and habits of its population. Therefore, it is in the consensus of
many researchers that Human Capital development is major determinant of a nation’s standard
of living however, this human capital development is influenced by the quality of a nation’s
formal education that is; the better and higher the quality of a nation’s education, the higher is
its Human Capital development. That is why the International Organization such as ILO,
UNESCO, World Bank endorses the quality of Education more so vocational education for
economic and social development purposes for instance focusing on the eight Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs) adopted at the United Nation’s summit in 2000, two of them focus
on education (UN 2000, 2005, 2010, & 2015). Many countries in this twenty first century have
embraced Vocational Education as an appropriate strategy for human capital development.
Vocational school or vocational college is a post- secondary educational institution
designed to provide vocational education or technical skills required to perform tasks of a
particular job or offering instruction and practical introductory experience in skilled trades such
as mechanics, plumbing, carpentry, construction, businesses, and information technology.
Vocational Education is part of tertiary education and training that provides accredited training
in job related and technical skills covering a number of careers and industries.
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developed country in Asia. More so, US representing developed, and Brazil for developing
countries will be the case studies in America.
DISCUSSIONS
Vet In Australia
Since 1990s, Australian VET system has changed from a system largely run by states and
territories to a one at national level where all VET policies are determined by the nation’s
government. For instance the government set up a national competence-based system of
qualifications through the Ministerial Council for Vocational and Technical Education
(MCVTE) to regulate the vocational qualifications which led to an increase in proportion of
working age in the vocational institutions. Industry is actively engaged in VET policy making
and development of standards and delivery for instance the national training system is
underpinned by commitment to competency-based training based on the standards set by
Australian industry. VET competencies and qualifications cover 80% of Australians
occupation. Australian VET system is flexible which allows people of all ages to participate for
example in 2007, 11.3% of the population between 15 and 64 years participated in VET, VET
programs range from a single module or unit of competency to advanced diploma with the
training programs ranging from formal classroom to work-based learning which include
flexible, self-paced learning, and online training. VET programs also is provided in both private
and public registered training organizations (RTOs), in schools, universities or other higher
education levels, adult and community education, as well as various cultural, religious
institutions. Australia has over 4000RTOs and has a well-developed apprentice system that
include traditional apprentice in trades and “traineeships” in other more service oriented
occupations.
Vet in Germany
Germany is widely known for its high quality vocational education and training (VET)
system. The Dual system of Germany TVET is a vocational education system provided by the
vocational schools as well as the company with dual support of both the government and the
industry. Vocational schools and the company can coordinate learning avenues which can take
the form of learning workshops, company (trade, production and administration) according to
the curriculum framework in order to provide an effective combination of theory and practice
to reduce on the mismatch of skills hence narrowing unemployment gap among the young
people.
The two key features of that system are (a) firm-based training programs accompanied by
a school-based component (of one to two days per week), in which apprentices acquire upper
secondary general education in core subjects (like math and German) and theoretical knowledge
in their training occupation. This duality of practical and theoretical knowledge acquired at the
workplace and at vocational schools is (b) accompanied by the private-public duality in the
governance structure (i.e. public governance of the vocational schools, provide governance of
the firm-based training). The impact of VET systems on school-to-work transitions is made
possible by the German dual system as the main entry to labor market. In 2012, 66% of the
apprenticeship graduates remained employed by the firm in which they were trained. This
rate has even increased by 8 percentage points since 2000. This indicates that the German dual
system still works well as a training and screening device for youth labor market entry.
The increase reveals that, today more than in the past, firms train for their own labor
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supply. The participation in VET programs (including prevocational measures) and the
internal hiring of apprenticeship graduates are main reasons why youth unemployment and the
so-called NEET (Not in Employment, Education, or Training) rate are low in Germany.
Tvet in Macedonia
The current system of vocational education and training in the country demonstrates
both systemic and programmatic shortcomings. A huge number of persons without
qualifications, problems in the relevance of syllabi and curricula, VET which is unattractive
to youth and adults, poor collaboration between education institutions and the business sector,
the need for new profiles and skills for continuation of education and/or successful transition
to the labor market and euro-integration processes highlight the need for modernization of the
country’ VET. As part of the process, Republic of Macedonia initiated important steps in the
reform of its education system as it relates to TVET and higher education, particularly as it
relates to the upper secondary system within the education sector. Many of these initiatives,
however, remain underfunded and unfinished. Profiles and curricula are still too narrow and
are considered partly outdated, with too little emphasis on practical work experience. In order
for young people to develop necessary practical skills, they need access to adequate workshop
equipment and closer links with employers.
The most pronounced problem the country faces is high unemployment. The official
unemployment rate, according to the Workforce Survey (ILO definition), amounted in the third
trimester of 2012 to 30.6% and is the highest in Europe. In the third trimester of 2012, the
activity rate was 56.3%, with an activity gender gap of 22.2% affecting mostly young people
although the country has learnt some lessons like: Partnerships with industry and the private
sector need to meet labor market demands. Skill needs are identified through effective
partnerships and coordination with local industry/sector and industry associations. Local
planning authorities are engaged in the development, implementation, and evaluation of new
programs.
Tvet in US
TVET in US is called Career and Technical Education (CTE) a name adopted in 1998 by
the Association for Career and Technical Education (2011) and it is an elective form of
education that students are not required to participate in to earn a high school diploma or a
college/ university degree. Historically, TVET has a focus on job preparation for entry-level
positions and defined as educational courses and programs offered at less than the baccalaureate
level. Ninety-six percent of all high school students in U.S. take at least one TVET course and
one in four of all high school students take three or more courses in a single TVET program.
Students engage in TVET programs in community and technical colleges while adults engage
in the short-term postsecondary occupational training or retraining (Levesque et al., 2008). US
TVET takes place in public education system largely limited to high school; community or
technical colleges serving a wide range of public needs; various government programs; a
miniscule apprenticeship system; and a large business-based training system disconnected from
all of the others. Career Pathways (CPs) is a strategy applied by TVET providers in US to
specify the knowledge and skills that students must acquire at the secondary and postsecondary
levels in order to be better prepared for occupations within various career clusters. CPs are
adopted by the Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE) and defined as a coherent,
articulated sequence of rigorous academic and career courses, commencing in the ninth grade.
A Career Pathway is developed, implemented, and maintained in partnership with secondary
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and post-secondary education, business, and employers. CPs is available to all students,
including adult learners, and are designed to lead to rewarding careers.
Brazil’s Vocational and technical education and training (VET) is integrated into
traditional education at secondary and tertiary levels, and offered as separate program by
different public and private educational providers, especially for those who are already outside
traditional education trajectories. This complexity led federal government’s decision to
massively scale it up, to institute Programa Nacional de Acesso ao Ensino Técnico e Emprego
(PRONATEC, National Program for Access to Technical Education and Employment) in 2011.
Coordinated by the Ministério da Educação (MEC, Ministry of Education), aiming at
dramatically expanding the supply of VET students and providing an umbrella for the country’s
overlapping VET policies through market research of labor needs and required skills which can
trained by TVET providers with the help of employers (OECD 2011), engaging employers and
unions in curriculum development, sharing inputs and apprenticeship opportunities to ensure
link and match of skills taught and modern workplace needs, developing and implementing
qualification frameworks, standardized national assessments frameworks to ensure the quality
and consistency of teaching and training. Brazil follows Australia, India, United Kingdom,
Canada, and the European Union experience. Workplace learning is one of the best ways used
to promote VET learning relating to the labor market needs as well as building and
strengthening socio-emotional skills benefiting both the student and the employer as the student
will have strong learning environment offering real on-the-job training experience making it
easier to acquire hard and soft skills, facilitating a two-way flow of information, making
recruitment more effective or less costly for the employer. In addition, employer willingness to
offer workplace training is a verification signal that a VET program has labor market value.
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of skills and cost effectiveness in school. In this respect, various Industry-based Training (IBT)
Schemes (ie Traineeship, Approved Training Centers and Certified On-Job-Training Centers)
have been established to facilitate training by industry. Another form of partnerships is the
joint establishment of Centers of Excellence in various technologies to facilitate exchange of
technology, expertise and training resources.
Tvet In Indonesia
According to Asian Development Bank projects reviews in VET across Asia and Pacific,
reveal that industry cooperation with VET providers is the basis of successful training. In
Indonesia, vocational schools rely much on industry partners like Chambers of Commerce, local
government and local business community in matching with the labor market needs. These
partners are included on the school committee board to advise on the course content
(curriculum), provide instructor and work placement opportunities like internship vacancies,
provision of learning materials like equipment, scholarships and others. Vocational schools in
Indonesia have increased their cooperation with industries to an international level including
industries like Caterpillar, Cisco, Nivea, Philips and others. These help in work internship for
students, certification and job opportunities as well as assessing students’ practical skills. Dual
System of Education (PSG) [in form of internship] is a common form of education professional
expertise, which combines systematic and synchronized between educational programs in
schools (SMK) through direct work activities in the workplace to achieve a level of professional
expertise. Implementation of a dual system of education in Indonesia, has been running long
enough but there are still many problems to be solved like: (1) many vocational schools do not
have the cooperation with industry, (2) the time that is not the same organization, (3) a long
time practice of different industries, (4) still many students do not earn a place in accordance
with industry practice expertise, and (5) lack of monitoring of school counselors to industry.
Implementation of the dual system of education, it is necessary to get the attention of all parties,
particularly vocational education, with some of the following: (1) the coordination of the
industry's practice to fit the students' areas of expertise, (2) the timing of policy on industry
practice, and (3) the efforts of the school to continue to work closely with industry
continuously, and (4) completion of a task force for monitoring on an ongoing basis and the
reward for implementers /teachers (Sutikno, 2013).
Tvet In Mauritius
488
youth who have attained tertiary education level has increased significantly from 1,300 in 2006
to 5,000 in 2012. According to a report prepared by the MEF, one of the main causes of youth
unemployment is the lack of adequate education, training and employable skills.
Although Uganda recognizes the importance of Skills development as a tool for reducing
poverty and enhancing productivity, competitiveness, and employability as highlighted in a
series of ILO discussions and conclusions limited efforts shows its reality. It is also clear that
Employers play an important role in improving effectiveness and relevance of skills training
however as revealed in Youth Map Uganda, 2011:19 report by IYF, skills mismatches are
witnessed by an interviewed employers who confirmed that there is a huge gap between what
students learn in formal education system and what the economy needs. High youth
unemployment is closely linked to the lack of skills, which arises from weaknesses in education
and training. For example in Mbale town, one hospitality sector employer explained that they
need individuals who have a set of skills like plumbing, refrigeration, and electrical/mechanical
engineering, but schools are not producing such graduates with practical skills. Also, one
telecommunications sector employer explained, “Graduates have no prior technical skills to
join our company and they need further training during our staff development programs while
on the job.”. Skilling Uganda is an ambitious reform program aiming at overhauling the current
system of Skills Development in Uganda. It outlines the framework for a modern, state of
the art open system for skills development in the country Strengthen employer-based training
supporting training activities by employers either in-house or delivered by external training
providers since internships provision currently is not sufficient to meet the growing demand.
With employers, training authorities will develop a plan to improve the availability of
internships including a flexible academic calendar to ensure that internships can be provided
year round, support of pilot programs for partnerships development in training (e.g. dual
training).
In this 21st century, both developed and developing nations are faced with the demands
of a rapidly changing and more globally competitive world due to major forces driving this
change in the world of work, such as advances in information and communication technology
(ICT), the introduction of new manufacturing processes, increased economic integration
between countries, and increased competition due to trade liberalization. The impact of
economic globalization, however, has been uneven for instance in developing countries, China
and India, have considerably improved their stand in the global economy, yet others not. Many
are seeing expansion of the informal economy, characterized by a reliance on unskilled labor
force combined with formal economy stagnation. Recent progress in education development
meant that there is more skilled workers in the world than available job prospects increasing
the global unemployment, as shocks provoked by the international financial crisis continue to
reduce the capacity of the global economy to add new jobs making technical and vocational
education and training (TVET) an agenda of governments and donor agencies internationally.
The political and policy communities in many low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) are
attracted to TVET due to its linkage to unemployment reduction through equipping individuals
with relevant skills and knowledge to respond to employment opportunities. UNESCO is an
advocate of TVET highlighting its policy importance of higher-order skills and its central role
in the global knowledge-based economy, particularly with regard to poverty reduction,
489
economic growth and social stability (UNESCO, 2010a). There is a shift in priorities evidenced
in Global Monitoring Report 2012 on Education for All (EFA), which strengthens the focus on
TVET and skills development that might expand opportunities for marginalized groups
(UNESCO, 2012). TVET has become a key area focus and investment in developing countries
and many initiatives have been implemented to address unemployment issues and improve
economic growth.
Considering several research results from various countries shows that there is a better
TVET system in developed countries like in Australia, Germany, Singapore, Mauritius and US
with more emphasis on industry cooperation with vocational schools in form of dual system,
teaching factories, on-job training and apprenticeship and work-based learning right from high
school to tertiary institutions and universities. This close linkage has reduced skills mismatch
improving quality skills and competency by matching vocational education with labor markets
needs hence reducing on the unemployment gap in these countries.
Similarly, there has been a close relationship and linkage between vocational school and
the industry also in some developing countries like Indonesia, Brazil though more efforts and
appropriate strategies are needed for example periodical curriculum synchronization in all
vocational schools with industry needs and increase in duration of dual system. However, there
are less evidences of vocational school cooperation with the industry in Uganda that explains
why there is high rate of youth unemployment in comparison to similar developing countries
like Indonesia, Tanzania, Kenya and others.
Conclusively therefore, cooperation between the vocational school and industry is pivotal
and crucial turning point to both the school as it enables the school to produce quality output
through updated curriculum and better learning models based on the industry needs, while
enabling the industry also to get skilled and competent workforce at reduced costs as well as
increasing the productivity that increases the nation’s GDP hence leading to economic growth
and development and full employment.
Suggestions
Vocational schools can improve their cooperation with industries according to the
conclusion through: (1) Implementing the learning model applicable in both places like work
based learning, teaching factories. (2) Including Industrial personnel/experts on school
committee boards to advice on the learning content through developing appropriate curriculum
students’ assessment and provision of updated learning equipment.
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