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Vocational Education

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Also known as career or technical education, vocational education refers to formal training and instruction for technical, paraprofessional, skilled, or semiskilled occupations, usually without requiring or providing a bachelor’s degree. RAND researchers have examined the relationship between vocational education and effective workforce planning and development, state policies influencing vocational education, vocational education quality, and more.

Commentary

Building a Sound Technical and Vocational Education and Training System

Dec 31, 2014

Technical and vocational education and training in India has expanded significantly over the past two decades. But quality and relevance remain significant issues. What may be learned from other countries' experiences?
Project

Preparing Local Talent for Jobs in the Emerging Energy Sector

Dec 7, 2015

RAND is conducting a multi-method study of the ShaleNET Program, a partnership between energy employers and colleges in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West-Virginia. The program provides sub-baccalaureate training programs for semi-skilled STEM jobs in the energy sector.

Explore Vocational Education

Journal Article

Journal Article

Do High School Stem Courses Prepare Non-College Bound Youth for Jobs in the Stem Economy?

In this paper we used data from a nationally representative sample of 10th graders in 2002 to test the hypothesis that non-college bound youth who take advanced academic STEM courses and applied STEM courses in high school will be more likely to hold jobs in the STEM economy and earn higher wages in the years immediately after exiting high school. We find no evidence in support of this hypothesis.

Aug 8, 2017
Project

Mapping MOOCs4Inclusion

As part of the MOOCs4Inclusion research team, RAND Europe contributed to a literature review to identify recent research on the use of free digital learning by migrants and refugees in the EU and neighbouring countries.

Apr 28, 2017
Journal Article

Journal Article

Missing Key Stage 2 Data in LSYPE2: Technical Report

The Second Longitudinal Study of Young People in England (LSYPE2) follows more than 13,000 pupils as they move on from compulsory education and begin their career paths, providing detailed insights into their background, choices and lives from the ages of 13/14 to 19/20.

Jan 11, 2017
Commentary

Support for Postsecondary Education in Prison

Correctional educational programs can reduce incarceration costs and recidivism. But it's critical that former inmates can connect with reentry services in the community to complete their education.

Dec 15, 2016
Commentary

To Increase Diversity in Tech, We Need to Rethink What 'Tech' Is

The tech sector is a driving force for high-skill, high-wage job creation in the United States, but too few women and minorities reap the gains. Rethinking what defines today's tech jobs, along with greater investment in public-private partnerships, could go a long way toward bridging the diversity gap.

Nov 17, 2016
Project

Summer Career Pathways Evaluation

Summer Career Pathways is a random control trial of a cross-sector job pipeline in New Orleans, which aims to open opportunities for lower-skilled, unemployed and underemployed people to find skilled jobs in advanced manufacturing and energy sectors.

Sep 26, 2016
Multimedia

Workforce Development for the Jobs of the Future

In this Events @ RAND podcast, our panel of experts discusses what California, the federal government, and employers are doing to nurture a workforce that is well prepared for the jobs of today and the future.

Sep 1, 2016
Commentary

Getting Technical: Preparing High School Students for the Workforce America Needs

Fields such as computers, engineering, and health care are expected to grow. Employers and policymakers have a vested interest in ensuring that America's high schoolers are ready to meet future employment needs. Access to high-quality career and technical education programs is key.

Aug 25, 2016
Report

More Research Would Inform Innovative Approaches to Veteran Employment

While the aim of veteran employment programs is to help veterans transition to civilian jobs, their impact is unclear. RAND hosted two workshops to recommend improvements to veteran employment opportunities and identify research gaps.

Aug 22, 2016
Journal Article

The Private Sector and Youth Skills and Employment Programs in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

This report examines the involvement of the private sector in youth skills and employment in low- and middle-income countries.

Oct 22, 2015
Report

Improving Mongolia's Labor Market and Enhancing Opportunities for Youth

Despite a recent slowdown, Mongolia has experienced dramatic economic growth in the 2000s. Youth labor-market success is important to Mongolia's economic future. Insights from the challenges young Mongolians face, as well as their achievements and aspirations, can help inform policy.

Aug 24, 2015
Journal Article

Journal Article

Governing Education and Training Systems in England: Some Lessons from the United States

Recent changes in education and training policy in England continue to focus on creating a 'demand-led' system in an environment where public funds are dwindling and where more responsibility is being devolved away from central government.

Feb 16, 2015
Report

Report

Making an Impact in the Kurdistan Region — Iraq: Summary of Four Studies to Assess the Present and Future Labor Market, Improve Technical Vocational Education and Training, Reform the Health Sector, and Build Data Collection Capacity

This executive summary describes key results from four studies carried out by the RAND Corporation for the Kurdistan Regional Government. These studies aim to improve the economic and social development of the Kurdistan Region -- Iraq.

Feb 3, 2015
Report

Advancing the Careers of Military Spouses

Military spouses face challenges related to military life that can make it difficult for them to maintain and develop careers. The My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) scholarship is one program designed to help them, but only one in five eligible spouses reported using it.

Jan 21, 2015
Report

Report

Improving Technical Vocational Education and Training in the Kurdistan Region — Iraq: Arabic-language version

Examines the adequacy of technical and vocational education and training in Iraq's growing Kurdistan Region; identifies areas for improvement through interviews with a variety of officials and an analysis of similar systems in other nations.

May 29, 2014
Report

Report

Improving Technical Vocational Education and Training in the Kurdistan Region — Iraq: Kurdish-language version

Examines the adequacy of technical and vocational education and training in Iraq's growing Kurdistan Region; identifies areas for improvement through interviews with a variety of officials and an analysis of similar systems in other nations.

May 29, 2014
Report

Advancing Technical and Vocational Education and Training in Kurdistan

As the Kurdistan Region of Iraq develops rapidly, gaps have surfaced between the education and skills necessary for emerging jobs and those that employers perceive in local graduates. However, policymakers can respond in the short, medium, and long terms by implementing a number of new measures, particularly at the secondary level.

Apr 24, 2014
Commentary

Instead of Promoting STEM Education Indiscriminately, Try This

With all the evidence demonstrating the importance of STEM education for success in the 21st century, well-intentioned policymakers may be tempted to indiscriminately promote all STEM curricula, across all levels of education. But unpacking what STEM really means reveals the need for a more nuanced approach.

Mar 31, 2014

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RAND Topic:
Vocational Education

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