Areas
of European research in VET and HRD
[Map]
[Legend] [References]
The
following map attempts to capture the major areas of
European research and practice associated with vocational education and
training (VET) and/or human resource development (HRD). Relations between
these areas and their position within the broader context of education
are indicated by connective lines. The abbreviations used in the figure
are explained in the attached legend.
This
map is aimed at describing the broad field of VET and HRD in terms of its
constituting parts (areas) rather than trying to provide an overall definition.
The main features of this field may be summed up as follows:
-
VET and
HRD are an integral part of the broader educational and socio-economic
environment. In this context they share various areas of research and practice
between themselves.
-
HRD may
be related to organisations (corporate level) and/or the labour market
(economic level). At organisational (corporate) level, HRD is mainly concerned
with personnel development, in the context of human resource management.
At labour market (economic) level, HRD is associated with the development
of the work force as a whole, including educational attainment, skill needs
and qualification levels.
-
The distinction
between VET and HRD depends on the conceptual approach and framework applied
rather than on the particular area considered, e.g. issues of continuing
vocational education and training (CVET) may be studied in terms of educational
concepts (VET) or business/ management models (HRD-O) or social capital
theory (HRD-LM).
The areas
of VET and HRD included in this map have been identified by analysing themes
of both papers presented at European conferences and projects carried out
by European partnerships. They are therefore characterised by European
(rather than national) research, being typically communicated in English.
The limits of this approach are obvious, in view of the great variety of
research cultures and languages in the European region. Nevertheless, this
initial map of VET and HRD related research may serve as a practical device
(under continuous revision) for describing the contents of research activities
and resources across Europe.
Further
work will be needed to trace the meaning and available definitions of the
underlying concepts (VET and HRD) and to analyse their relationship by
taking the constituting research areas into account. Initial references
are provided below.
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