The ‘skills-based’ model: Governance: Employer-led Labour market: Performance of (narrow) skills

1. The ‘skills-based’ model: Governance: Employer-led Labour market: Performance of (narrow) skills Competence: Functional-behaviourist (prescribed tasks, lack of integration of knowledge) Education: Preparation for a particular job (‘training’)

6. The ‘work-based route’ conforms to the ‘skills-based’ model and has even seen a narrowing down of skills and knowledge. • What might be termed a ‘professionalised route’ diverges from the ‘skill-based’ approach and has many similarities with the knowledge-based model of European countries, particularly in terms of educational and occupational scope. • The ‘work-based route’ is becoming increasingly problematic in the context of declining employer involvement, while at the same time workplace experience is becoming more critical for qualifications.

7. Introduction of NVQs into a number of occupations that have hitherto had a largely unqualified workforce (in our study LGV driving – beyond the mandatory licence; but also other sectors such as the social care workforce). • There are a number of common aspects characteristic of the archetypal English model, such as a concern with output and the work process, which can be found throughout the VET system, and which distinguishes it from the more knowledge-based continental system.