VET between State and Market. England as an Extended Natural Experiment in VET Governance

TY - CHAP

T1 - VET between State and Market. England as an Extended Natural Experiment in VET Governance

AU - Winch, Christopher

PY - 2022/1/5

Y1 - 2022/1/5

N2 - This article will introduce a framework for comparing VET governance. It includes: governance structures, qualification provision, funding regime and qualification quality assurance. It will be argued that historically and at the present time, England operates as a liberal market economy but not a laissez faire one, depending on a strong state for funding and qualification provision. In a historical departure, however, England has started to intervene on the demand side of VET provision. However, state intervention without the extensive involvement of civil society and, in particular, the active involvement of trade unions and employer associations in conjunction with the state, is not likely to lead to success. This article will look at the English experience from 1964, when the Industrial Relations Act was passed until the present day, three years after a compulsory VET levy for larger enterprises was introduced and will argue that demand side, like supply side measures, are unlikely to work without the active participation of civil society. Prospects for the 2017 levy are considered. The conclusion drawn is that successful VET governance requires the active participation of the relevant sections of a national civil society and that this condition has not been met in England either in historical or contemporary terms.

AB - This article will introduce a framework for comparing VET governance. It includes: governance structures, qualification provision, funding regime and qualification quality assurance. It will be argued that historically and at the present time, England operates as a liberal market economy but not a laissez faire one, depending on a strong state for funding and qualification provision. In a historical departure, however, England has started to intervene on the demand side of VET provision. However, state intervention without the extensive involvement of civil society and, in particular, the active involvement of trade unions and employer associations in conjunction with the state, is not likely to lead to success. This article will look at the English experience from 1964, when the Industrial Relations Act was passed until the present day, three years after a compulsory VET levy for larger enterprises was introduced and will argue that demand side, like supply side measures, are unlikely to work without the active participation of civil society. Prospects for the 2017 levy are considered. The conclusion drawn is that successful VET governance requires the active participation of the relevant sections of a national civil society and that this condition has not been met in England either in historical or contemporary terms.

M3 - Chapter

SN - 978-3-0343-4287-2

T3 - Studies in Vocational and Continuing Education

SP - 53

EP - 80

BT - Governance Rev i s i t e d Challenges and Opportunities for Vocational Education and Training

A2 - Buergi, Regula

A2 - null, Philipp Gonon

PB - Peter Lang

CY - Bern

ER -