TVETipedia Glossary

Vocational education and training (VET)

Learning which aims to acquire knowledge, know-how, information, values, skills and competences – either job-specific or transversal – required in specific occupations or more broadly on the labour market. Comment * VET covers initial vocational education and training (IVET), continuing vocational education and training (CVET) at secondary, post-secondary and (vocational and professional) higher levels; * it plays an increasing role in retraining and upskilling adults; * VET can take place in a broad range of – formal and non-formal – settings and – public or private – sectors. Source: Based on European Commission and Cedefop, 2021

Source:
Cedefop, Glossary. Terminology of European education and training policy, (accessed 03/2023)
Cedefop, Glossary. Terminology of European education and training policy, (accessed 03/2023)
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This multilingual glossary (provided in a multitude of European languages) defines a selection of key terms used in European education and training policy. It is a revised and expanded version of the “Terminology of European education and training policy – A selection of 130 key terms” (2014). It considers new priorities of European Union policy, mainly concerning skills intelligence and employment. New definitions have been developed in collaboration with the experts of Cedefop’s departments VET and Skills and VET and Qualifications.

Post-compulsory education and training, excluding degree and higher level programs delivered by further education institutions, which provides people with occupational or work-related knowledge and skills. VET also includes programs which provide the basis for subsequent vocational programs. Alternative terms used internationally include technical and vocational education and training (TVET), vocational and technical education and training (VTET), technical and vocational education (TVE), vocational and technical education (VTE), further education and training (FET), and career and technical education (CTE).

Source:
NCVER (Australia), VOCEDplus: Glossary of VET, (accessed 12/2022)
NCVER (Australia), VOCEDplus: Glossary of VET, (accessed 12/2022)
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This glossary is a compilation of Australian vocational education and training (VET) terms and acronyms. It includes both current and historical terms, concepts, acronyms and other abbreviations found in Australian VET research, policy and data.

Those aspects of the educational process involving, in addition to general education, the study of technologies and related sciences, and the acquisition of practical skills, attitudes, understanding and knowledge relating to occupations in various sectors of economic and social life.

Source:
UNESCO, Terminology of Technical and Vocational Education, 1984
UNESCO, Terminology of Technical and Vocational Education, 1984
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This publication is a practical terminology in the field of technical and vocational education for the purposes of international communication. After use of the original English/French version for over five years in numerous regional and international meetings, conferences, seminars and workshops held in those two languages, it was felt that publication of the guide in additional international languages would permit Unesco to contribute further to a better understanding in Member States of the Revised Recommendation concerning Technical and Vocational Education (1974), would facilitate the implementation of this instrument and would foster a more effective exchange of information in the field of technical and vocational education.

Education and training beyond compulsory education, but excluding degree-level programmes, which provides individuals with occupational or work-related knowledge and skills.

Source:
ILO, Glossary of Key Terms on Learning and Training for Work, 2006
ILO, Glossary of Key Terms on Learning and Training for Work, 2006
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The "Glossary of key terms on learning and training for work" provides a comprehensive overview of terms and their definition used in the field of human resource development and training. Each tenn is followed by its definition and link to related terms. When a term has a broader general meaning, the definition given in the Glossary refers to its use in the training context. Both terms and definitions, as well as cross-references to synonyms and related terms are commonly used by the International Labour Office (ILO) and several other intematlonal organizations involved in human resources development and training.

Education and training programmes containing both knowledge (theoretical understanding) and practical skills, designed for, and typically leading to, a particular job or type of job.

Source:
OECD, Glossary of terms used in the international survey of VET systems, 2009
OECD, Glossary of terms used in the international survey of VET systems, 2009
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(Glossary starting p. 107)
"This report sets out some practical steps that countries can take in partnership with employers. [...] [It] is linked to 17 individual country studies [...][that] illustrate the rich international diversity in vocational systems"

Vocational education and training, abbreviated as VET, sometimes simply called vocational training, is the training in skills and teaching of knowledge related to a specific trade, occupation or vocation in which the student or employee wishes to participate. Vocational education may be undertaken at an educational institution, as part of secondary or tertiary education, or may be part of initial training during employment, for example as an apprentice, or as a combination of formal education and workplace learning.

Source:
European Commission, Education and training glossary, (accessed 01/2016)
European Commission, Education and training glossary, (accessed 01/2016)
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The Glossary contains short definitions of all terms used in 'Statistics Explained'. Statistics Explained is:
* an encyclopaedia on European Union statistics;
* a portal to further information for occasional and for regular users;
* a statistical glossary.

The merging between the Vocational Education and the Vocational Training. It is a post-compulsory education and training, excluding degree and higher level programmes delivered by higher education institutions, which provides people with occupational or work-related awareness, knowledge, skills and attitude.

Source:
M. Wahba (TVET consultant), Glossary of Terms for TVET, Assessment and Verification, 2013
M. Wahba (TVET consultant), Glossary of Terms for TVET, Assessment and Verification, 2013
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The Egyptian TVET expert Moustafa Wahba developed a glossary based on his own experience as a consultant in TVET.