Towards a liberal vocational education

This essay takes up the issue of the impact of technology on jobs in modern workplaces, and the curricular challenges thereby engendered for vocational educators. Conceptions of the nature of workplaces are examined, along with conceptions of the types of skill needed. It is proposed that distinction be made between vocational education at the secondary school, and that beyond. At the secondary school, vocational education would be education about work, and the goal would be vocational literacy, This would constitute a liberal vocational education. Beyond that, vocational education would be for jobs, but would include liberal features, such as general education course work, and training in job families.