Learning outcomes in work-based vocational education and training
Learning outcomes have become a central element of vocational education and training (VET) policy and curriculum design across Europe. A new Cedefop report, published as part of the project The shift to learning outcomes: Rhetoric or reality?, focuses on how learning outcomes are used in practice in work- and practice-based initial vocational education and training (IVET).
The study covers 10 EU Member States — Bulgaria, Ireland, France, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia and Finland — and examines the role of companies, in-company trainers and learners in translating learning-outcomes-based curricula into workplace learning. It is based on national case studies, fieldwork with 20 companies and 17 VET providers, 151 interviews, document analysis and observation of training in workplace settings.
The findings show that learning outcomes can provide a shared language for VET providers and companies, support the planning of workplace learning and create a basis for assessment. However, their impact depends on the quality of cooperation between schools and companies, the support available to in-company trainers and the guidance learners receive. In many cases, learning outcomes are formally embedded in curricula but only partially used in day-to-day workplace training.
The report identifies strong partnerships, practically relevant learning outcomes, support for workplace mentors and authentic work tasks as key success factors. It also points to persistent barriers, including limited pedagogical training for workplace mentors, misalignment between curriculum requirements and workplace realities, resource constraints and overly complex learning-outcomes frameworks.
The study concludes that learning outcomes can strengthen the quality, transparency and relevance of work-based IVET if they are actively used by all actors involved in the learning process.
3s contributed to the study through Karin Luomi-Messerer, Mariya Dzhengozova and Zsuzsanna Zarka.
Further information can be found in the Cedefop report.
Contact: Karin Luomi-Messerer
Client: Cedefop
