From an international perspective, a variety of alternating or cooperative vocational education and training (VET) approaches are emerging, with the aim of enhancing graduates' employability and facilitating their integration into the labor market and society. The challenge of youth unemployment is a central concern within this context. Much attention is given to the development of (dual) apprenticeships, while in numerous countries, longstanding dual VET models are undergoing modernization efforts to address contemporary challenges. The advancement of alternating learning stands out as a key focus in the modernization of VET systems globally. Alternating learning involves a blend of school-based (theoretical) and company-based (practical) vocational education and training. However, what initially appears harmonious often reveals underlying conflicts of interest between public goals of fostering youth development and private objectives of skill development. The international landscape for standardizing VET exhibits diverse starting points and developmental trajectories. Issue 3 of IJVES aims to showcase examples of VET system modernization, particularly in the interplay between school and company-based learning environments.
Published: 2025-05-05
