Education: Skills Training

Citation

Canning R (2015) Education: Skills Training. In: Wright J (ed.) International Encyclopedia of the Social and Behavioral Sciences. 2nd ed. Elsevier, pp. 215-217. http://store.elsevier.com/International-Encyclopedia-of-the-Social-and-Behavioral-Sciences/isbn-9780080970868/

Abstract
Defining the concept of skills can be somewhat problematic. The term is basically an Anglo-Saxon one derived from the structure of jobs in the labor market. Other countries from around the world avoid the term skills, preferring instead the notion of occupations and/or competencies. In this article, I will explore these tensions in how skills are defined and measured in different economies. This will involve examining the distinctions between generic and basic skills and how skills are acquired and utilized. Finally, the links between qualifications and skills will be explored with reference to National Qualification Frameworks and skills training in initial and continuing vocational education systems.

Keywords
Competence; Education; Generic skills; Measuring skills; Occupations; Qualifications; Skills; Vocational education