1. Shaping the relationship between vocational and academic education
Prof. Dr. Dieter Euler

2. Higher Level Professions
Traditional view (simplified)
Compulsory Schooling
Academic
Education
Vocational
Education
Others
Knowledge Scientific methods
Practical skills
Occupational socialization
Higher Level Professions
Middle Level Occupations
Semi-/unskilled jobs
© Euler /2

3. Assumption
Historic pillarization of educational sectors separating theory – practice / reflection – action / knowing – doing doesn‘t meet the requirements of modern societies and economies!
© Euler /3

4. Future skills shape countries‘ development corridor …
Complex problem-solving
in technology-rich environments
Self-organised learning
Entrepreneurial skills
Social skills
in more developed
countries …
Creating
Innovating
High-order
cognitive
skills
Creative
Work
Evaluating
Critical thinking
Analyzing
Routine
Work
done by
people
Routine
Work
done by
machines
Applying
Understanding
Remembering
in less developed countries/sectors/companies
© Euler /4
Source: Euler 2017

5. Challenge for education: Development of ‚hybrid competences‘
Theory
(knowing)
Practice
(doing)
Hybrid competences
for complex problem-solving in
technology-rich environments
Personality
(being)
© Euler /5

6. within vocational and academic education
Competence profiles
within vocational and academic education
Competence
profiles
Scientifc methods,
knowledge,
theories
(know what;
know why)
Practical skills (know how)
Hybrid competences
Excellence-Uni
Regional-Uni
UAS-r
UAS-e
Academic
education
Academic drift
Flagship-VET
Trad-VET
Low-Status-VET
Vocational drift
Vocational
education
© Euler /6

7. Options for policy-makers: Potential futures of VET
Keep HE exclusive – remove overlappings between HE and VET!
Increase attractiveness of VET programs!
Improve permeability from VET to HE!
Develop a parallel, but separate vocational track architecture covering the entire pathway from apprenticeship to academic degrees!
Implement models integrating vocational and academic programs / degrees!
Separating
Linking
Integrating
© Euler /7

8. Study integrating apprenticeship
Example:
Study integrating apprenticeship
VET+Bachelor
Degree
Bachelor-
Degree 4
VET-Degree 3
Apprenticeship
Dual Studies
Studies 2
Interim exam  decision on subsequent phase 1
Foundation Level:
Apprenticeship with integrated study modules
© Euler /8

9. Many options – open futures ...
Conclusion:
Many options – open futures ...
Differences:
Countries /
sectors /
occupations
Policy-making:
Separating /
Linking /
Integrating
Supply:
options in VET and HE
Demand:
Aspirations of school-leavers
Recruitment preferences of employers
© Euler /9