Vocational Education

For Social Inclusion Gad Yair

The Hebrew University

of Jerusalem

The Rise and Fall of Vocational

Education

1970s: A Hierarchical System of

Vocational Schools – from Elite High-

Tech and Bio-Tech Schools to Low

Skilled Schools

1990s: An assessment that student

distribution matches socio-economic

differentials

2000s: High Cost of VET Schools,

leading to shutdowns

Now: Negative meaning of VET

Where do we Stand?

Vocational Students by Year (Based on data published by CBS)

Vocational Classes by Year

Positive Effects

Safety-net and Hierarchy

We find that in most countries secondary vocational education reduced the odds of unemployment, and the chances of someone entering the labor force as an unskilled worker. The advantages associated with vocational education are most pronounced in countries where vocational secondary education is specific rather than general. Third, graduates of vocational secondary education attain lower occupational prestige than that attained by graduates of academic tertiary education. This disadvantage of vocational education is most pronounced in countries where vocational education also serves as an effective safety net. This is an important finding because it means that 'diversion' and 'safety net' effects are not mutually exclusive but are the flip side of the same coin.

Not Everybody can Succeed

in Academic High Schools

Less than 50% of Cohort

holds Matriculation

Only 30% have access to HE

.

The National Discussion:

The New Call for VETRecent government change has intensified national discussions about vocational education.

Thinking anew about the split between the ministries of Education and Economics, with more recognition for VET.

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The Dilemmas