Vocational Education And Training In The Netherlands

The structure, history, objectives, and delivery of vocational education in the Netherlands were characterized through a review of existing documents explaining/regulating the Dutch vocational system and input from representatives of government, business, and labor. Vocational education was discussed within the context of the Dutch political and administrative structure, population and labor force, economy, and educational system as a whole, and its development was traced from the integration of vocational education into secondary education in 1968. Initial training and the training of employees and employers in the Netherlands were detailed along with the legislative and financial framework of vocational education. Employment trends and the present/future position of various target groups and vocational education's present and likely future were outlined. The following were among the policy dilemmas identified: tension between substantial growth in participation in higher forms of education and the improvement of success rates; special needs of late developers and dropouts; need to determine the optimum blend of government control and independence; and conflicting demands for higher levels of vocational education and limits on public spending. (Contains 28 tables/figures. Appended are the following: a list of acronyms/abbreviations; names/addresses of 20 agencies/organizations and social partners; a 14-item bibliography; and glossary.) (MN)