The Development of Secondary Vocational Education, Supported by Phare Studies [antikvár]

The system of vocational education in the European Union and in Hungary Dr. BENEDEK, ANDRÁS1 Introduction In connection with the research project "The development of secondary vocational, supported by Phare", this study is a review of the main objectives of the Phare programme implemented in Hungary. It concentrates on vocational education and on the relationship of these projects with vocational education policy in Hungary. This review provides an opportunity to examine, in connection with the tendencies of vocational education developments in Europe, what opportunities are offered by the concept currently being developed and implemented in Hungary. Furthermore, it considers the prospects of this unique and extremely significant sub-system with regard to our approach to Europe and to meeting all the requirements set by the European Union in conjunction with the integration process. Models of vocational education The models of vocational education in Europe are multifarious Systems which bear little resemblance to each other. The different characteristics of cultural history and economic development have had a variety of effects on these respective vocational education systems. It is alsó true fór Hungary where, similarly to German-speaking countries, the vocational education system was established in the middle of the last century. Endeavours that began in the reform period in Hungary in the 19lh century only came to full fruition at the turn of the century. It resulted in a dual-type vocational education system, where streamline education provided by the State and work experience provided by industry yielded the theoretical and the practical part, respectively, of the full rangé of the required knowledge. This system of apprenticeship was similar to that which had been developed in Germany and Austria. Since then this model has undergone significant changes, especially over last century, and more particularly during the fifties when, in Eastern European countries, the centrally planned economy integrated