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Making it real: The benefits of workplace learning in upper-secondary vocational education and training courses

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  • Polidano, Cain
  • Tabasso, Domenico

Abstract

In OECD countries, ‘real world’ upper-secondary vocational education and training (VET) programs are used to engage less academically oriented youth in learning, while helping to prepare them for post-school work and/or further education. In general terms, VET programs with high employer involvement, such as apprenticeship schemes, are considered to be superior to classroom-based VET programs that are typically found in many English-speaking countries. In this study, we examine outcomes from a potential ‘third way’: classroom-based VET with a short-term structured workplace learning component. Using propensity score matching and PISA data linked to information from the Longitudinal Survey of Australian Youth, we find this model is associated with higher school completion rates and better employment transitions.

Suggested Citation

  • Polidano, Cain & Tabasso, Domenico, 2014. "Making it real: The benefits of workplace learning in upper-secondary vocational education and training courses," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 130-146.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecoedu:v:42:y:2014:i:c:p:130-146
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econedurev.2014.06.003
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    Cited by:

    1. Miriam Grønning & Irene Kriesi, 2022. "Skill Endowment Through Vocational Education and Training Programmes and Early Career Mobility," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 10(4), pages 115-128.
    2. Polidano, Cain & Tabasso, Domenico, 2016. "Fully integrating upper-secondary vocational and academic courses: A flexible new way?," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 117-131.
    3. Nikhil Jha, 2021. "No time for crime? The effect of compulsory engagement on youth crime," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 100(6), pages 1571-1597, December.
    4. Jerrim, John & Lopez-Agudo, Luis Alejandro & Marcenaro-Gutierrez, Oscar D. & Shure, Nikki, 2017. "What happens when econometrics and psychometrics collide? An example using the PISA data," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 51-58.
    5. Cain Polidano & Chris Ryan, 2016. "Long-Term Outcomes from Australian Vocational Education," Melbourne Institute Working Paper Series wp2016n35, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne.
    6. Liang, Xiao & Rozelle, Scott & Yi, Hongmei, 2022. "The impact of COVID-19 on employment and income of vocational graduates in China: Evidence from surveys in January and July 2020," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Educational economics; Vocational education and training; Workplace learning;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • J01 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics: General

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