International Handbook of Education for the Changing World of Work Bridging Academic and Vocational Learning

From the reviews:

“The authors seek to consider the nature and implications of the changes that have taken place in the world of work during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. … The proposed readership might include researchers, teachers and students in the field of education, but it could also be broadened to policy-makers at various levels of government and those involved in business and enterprise, employers and employees. … will, no doubt, comprise an essential work of reference, now and in the future.” (Phyllida Coombes, Studies in Continuing Education, Vol. 32 (2), July, 2010)

“This international handbook provides an impressive amount of perspectives on the changing nature of work and its consequences for education and learning with a specific emphasis on vocational education and training (VET). … This book should be a valuable resource for researchers, policy-makers and educators. … Personally, I will go back and use it as an encyclopaedia. I will also recommend my students and colleagues to do the same.” (Gun Berglund, Studies in Continuing Education, Vol. 32 (2), July, 2011)

“This volume, whilst contributing an important element to the extensive area of education and workplace learning covered in the handbook, can also be usefully used as a separate reference for the TVET areas … . The volume provides conceptual frameworks for examining the management of TVET systems as well as practical examples from Australia and worldwide. The international perspectives that this volume provides from Asia, South America, Africa and Europe are a particular strength of this … handbook overall.” (Kate Collier, Studies in Continuing Education, Vol. 32 (2), July, 2011)

“The handbook discusses current practice in technical and vocational education and training (TVET). … this is an informative, very well written, accessible book that will appeal to a wide audience. It provides the background, context and rationale for many changes taking place within technical and vocational education and training. The book achieves its aim of ‘bridging academic and vocational learning’ through its clear, critical discussion and wide use of case studies from international contributors.” (Gillian Davison, Studies in Continuing Education, Vol. 32 (2), July, 2011)

“The focus of this volume is international TVET formal programs and issues related to TVET for youth and the ageing. … Its audience is policy-makers, governmental bodies and international organizations … . UNESCO, a long time policy leader in international adult education treats the complex, multi-issued phenomenon of formal adult and vocational learning in a balanced, informed and timely way. Questions of access, quality, engagement, outcomes and impact around TVET are realistically and clearly presented and supported.” (Barbara P. Heuer, Studies in Continuing Education, Vol. 32 (2), July, 2011)

“The strength of this volume lies in the academic depth within these 28 papers, which are consistently and accurately formatted and referenced. Most of the papers attempt to be international in terms of their content. … The collection therefore showcases backgrounds and perspectives of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) seen from a higher education perspective.” (Barry Golding, Studies in Continuing Education, Vol. 32 (2), July, 2011)