Vocational and Professional Education and Lifelong Learning

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the role of vocational education at the secondary and higher levels of adulteducation and lifelong learning (LLL) in the Netherlands. While traditionally the emphasis was on formaland non-formal learning in organized settings (adult education), nowadays there is growing awarenessof the importance of informal LLL in the workplace. In this chapter, three topics are presented. First, it isargued that policies concerning LLL in the Netherlands are ambiguous and sometimes contradictory.Second, the relationship between adult education and the vocational education and training system isdiscussed. The extent of actual adult vocational and professional education delivered in ROCs (regionalMBO colleges) or universities of applied sciences (Higher Professional Education, HBO) is very limited.Third, another angle on adult vocational education is discussed, namely, accreditation of prior learningas a way to raise the qualification levels of the working population.