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Higher level vocational education and training (VET) programmes are facing rapid change and intensifying challenges. What type of training is needed to meet the needs of changing economies? How should the programmes be funded? How should they be linked to academic and university programmes? How can employers and unions be engaged? This report synthesises the findings of the series of  country reports done on skills beyond school.   Chapter 1. The hidden world of professional education and training Chapter 2. Enhancing the profile of professional education and training Chapter 3. Three key elements of high-quality post-secondary programmes Chapter 4. Transparency in learning outcomes Chapter 5. Clearer pathways for learners Chapter 6. Key characteristics of effective vocational systems

Summary and policy recommendations

Post-secondary vocational education and training plays an under-recognised role in country skill systems. School and university, and the well-trod path between them, play a dominant role in thinking about education policy. But outside these two institutions there exists a less well understood world of colleges, diplomas, certificates and professional examinations – the world of post-secondary vocational education and training. Many professional and technical jobs require no more than one or two years of career preparation beyond upper secondary level, and in some countries as much as one-quarter of the adult workforce have this type of qualification (see Figure 1). Nearly two-thirds of overall employment growth in the European Union (EU25) is forecast to be in the “technicians and associate professionals” category – the category most closely linked to this sector (CEDEFOP, 2012). A recent US projection is that nearly one-third of job vacancies by 2018 will require some post-secondary qualification but less than a four-year degree (Carnevale, Smith and Strohl, 2010). The aim of this OECD study is to cast light on this world, as it is large, dynamic, and of key importance to country skill systems.

Read the complete summary and policy recommendations in English, French, Spanish and German.

Key findings <

key findings by country Austria/Germany/Switzerland (English / German) United Kingdom United States For the full set of Skills Beyond School country reviews, click here

Blogs Lessons for the UK Under the radar?   Professional education and training UKCES blog: “What is going on in the UK is really quite different from other countries”    further reading Greener Skills and Jobs Learning for Jobs OECD Skills Outlook 2013 The Survey of Adult Skills - Reader's Companion A Skills Beyond Schools Review of England A Skills Beyond School Review of the Netherlands   Press OECD - Better professional training would boost skills and job creation, says OECD UK Commission for employment and skills - UKCES welcomes call to close the gap between working and learning L20 Summit: Inequality and Inclusive Growth - Remarks by Angel Gurría, OECD Secretary-General, Brisbane, 14 November 2014