Vocational Education 2024 Final Exam
Study Guide
Vocational Education - Involves work related study mostly in school or college. Learners acquire
job-specific knowledge and skills mainly on the job or in work like situations.
In the view of Functionalists - Vocational Education and Training (VET) gives individuals the
specialist skills they need to perform their role in the division of labour and meet society's
economic needs.
New Vocationalism - Believed the British education system was allowing pupils to leave school
unemployable, and therefore failing to meet it's main function of providing the economy with a
skilled workforce. In response, a variety of schemes and courses have been introduced under an
expansion of post 16 education, as well as work experience programmes. It is hoped that these
will boost Britain's economy and also take advantage of globalisation.
EVALUATION - - Marxists see its true function as a means of serving capitalism at the expense of
young people.
- Feminists such as Carol Buswell say that schemes such as YTS can channel girls in traditional
low paid women's employment.
- Vocational education and qualifications are often seen as having lower status and are less likely
to lead to UNI entry.
- It is argued that these courses lower student's aspirations so they will accept subordinate jobs.
- Birdwell et al suggested schools encourage 'worthless' vocational education routes.
- Some sociologists believe that VET hides statistics of unemployment whilst keeping young
people away from deviant activities such as crime.
Schultz - Argued Vocational education has a focus on producing 'human capital' by preparing
young people for work to then meet the needs of the economy.
