Study on Vocational Education in Schools to Promote the School-to-Work Transition : A Comparative Analysis of in Korean and the U.S. Systems

청소년의 원활한 고용진입을 위한 학교세팅에서의 직업교육 강화 방안 연구 : 한국과 미국 비교

This study seeks to identify the reform of vocational education plans so as to bring about a seamless transition from school to work. It puts forward a number of suggestions based upon an analysis of vocational education policies in Korean and U.S. schools, concerning the government's role, partnerships between education and industry, the educational system, curriculum and work-based learning. First, not only government initiatives but also close partnerships between education and industry are essential to help vocational education in school the transition to employment. Education and industry should work closely together to standardize certificate related skills and to have these skills reflected in the curriculum. Also the government should strive to provide guidelines for work-based learning and formulate standards for supervision and evaluation. Second, to facilitate the school to work transition, comprehensive schools should be promoted so that students have access to a greater ranger of vocational education. At the same time, an assessment system that certifies a mastering of the basic skills of those who undergo the education should be introduced, and it should be related to earn these certificates. Third, standardized vocational skills should be included in the curriculum so that students can acquire skills that are useful for industry. All the students in vocational and general high schools should have access both to general education, the foundation for lifelong learning and for employ ability, and to basic occupational skills which empower students in dealing with rapid changes of technology. Also a range of specialized vocational curricula should be offered so that students can opt for more specialized occupations; and they can select careers appropriate to their capability. Fourth, so that all students to have the opportunity to take part in work-based education, which is closely related to employment, various work-based learning programs should be offered to meet the needs of students and their educational conditions. Companies should for their part train students thoroughly in accordance with the standards of work-based education. In addition, supervisors should be stationed both in schools and companies in order to administer the students' work-based learning.