Policies for vocational education vary greatly from nation to nation, but one thing remains clear throughout: such policies reflect aspirations and achievements in economic growth, as well as concern over the quality and supply of labor. This book uses the findings of an international seminar held in 1996 to explore how the principles of stakeholding, consensus, participation and democracy have been implicated in the development of vocational education policies and programs. The contributors to this volume provide case studies of policies and processes that have successfully coordinated the efforts and interests of state, industry and individual in seven different nations. "Changing Vocational Education and Training" is a timely collection of the latest theory, research and practice in vocational education, and will be essential reading for policy-makers, practitioners and academics.

How can opportunities for teaching and learning be improved to ensure that many more people participate, gain qualifications and obtain decent jobs? Will government policies enable us to achieve these goals? What new ideas do we need to ensure a more inclusive, equitable and efficient learning system? These are some of the main concerns which underlie this thought-provoking book coming from a major research project looking at how policies affect learners, tutors, managers and institutional leaders in Further Education Colleges, Adult and Community Learning centres and in Work Based Learning sites. Post compulsory education in the UK has been constantly restructured by the New Labour government and has been subject to considerable policy turbulence over the last few years. This book attempts to understand this important but poorly understood sector by both talking to students and front-line staff and by interviewing the officials responsible for managing post-compulsory education and lifelong learning. By examining the sector simultaneously from the 'bottom up' and from 'top down', the authors show how recent policy is affecting three disadvantaged groups - 16-19 year olds who have fared poorly in official tests at school; unemployed adults learning basic skills; and employees at work learning basic skills. The authors conclude that there are serious failings and suggest principles and features of a more equitable and effective learning system.

When the original edition of Scottish Gold and Silver Work was published in 1956 it was the first in its field, and today it remains the only comprehensive treatment of the subject. However, during the years that have passed, a great deal has happened in this field. Not only have researches vastly exceeded everything published prior to the date of the book's appearance, but as a subject, Scottish silverware has attained independent status, and its history is no longer even putatively covered under the title of "English Plate." The need for a new edition, updated, corrected, and improved, is therefore obvious. No alternative general history of the subject appeared during the interval of the two editions. By tracing the history of this complex art form, from the earliest Celtic gold and silver work to the Burgh craftsmen of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Finlay and Fothringham have created the most comprehensive text on this subject ever published.

How can opportunities for teaching and learning be improved to ensure that many more people participate, gain qualifications and obtain decent jobs? Will government policies enable us to achieve these goals? What new ideas do we need to ensure a more inclusive, equitable and efficient learning system? These are some of the main concerns which underlie this thought-provoking book coming from a major research project looking at how policies affect learners, tutors, managers and institutional leaders in Further Education Colleges, Adult and Community Learning centres and in Work Based Learning sites. Post compulsory education in the UK has been constantly restructured by the New Labour government and has been subject to considerable policy turbulence over the last few years. This book attempts to understand this important but poorly understood sector by both talking to students and front-line staff and by interviewing the officials responsible for managing post-compulsory education and lifelong learning. By examining the sector simultaneously from the 'bottom up' and from 'top down', the authors show how recent policy is affecting three disadvantaged groups - 16-19 year olds who have fared poorly in official tests at school; unemployed adults learning basic skills; and employees at work learning basic skills. The authors conclude that there are serious failings and suggest principles and features of a more equitable and effective learning system.