The themes of the different papers in this book are related to five major areas of research. First, the book presents the work on a large-scale assessment in vocational and occupational education and training. Reason was the work of Frank Achtenhagen and his colleagues on the preparation of a VET-PISA which started in 2004 which has now become more and more a concrete program. The contributions to this part of the book contain a project description and profound presentations and discussions of measurement and evaluation problems. It reflects also the work of Achtenhagen with respect to item response theory, measurement and testing. The second part of this book presents a unique endeavour of promoting VET research: The Swiss Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology (OPET) initiated a program of Leading Houses of VET which are dedicated to different important research topics. This program might serve as example for comparable approaches in other countries. The third part highlights central issues of research on learning processes, curriculum theory and the use of technology. Here the work of Achtenhagen on competence-profile modelling, competence measurement and instructional and curriculum designing is touched. The fourth part stresses social and emotional learning as important aspects of VET learning. The fifth part considers the political and institutional dimensions of VET research which have to be taken into account when an international large-scale assessment of VET shall be getting started. Achtenhagen’s work on learning at work, leaning in economics and learning under the conditions of institutional modelling are discussed. The whole book is a collection of central issues around a field that is not yet taken enough into consideration in educational research, but pushed and supported by Frank Achtenhagen: VET research. He belongs to the founding fathers of it, and this is why precisely the book reflects new trends and new concepts with respect to the question “What can we, educational psychologists and educational researchers, learn from a rich and central research field.”

This book serves as an introductory reader for understanding a professional competencies framework for social work through a new approach. It not only discusses what professional competencies are and why they are significant, but it also shows how to develop a professional competencies approach, measure and research competencies, and learn how to use them to empower professional identity and career development. There has been growing interest to define the social work profession within a professional competencies framework. Professional competencies are considered in their complexity as a triangle of knowledge, skills and values. They are not solely a tool for education and practice, but they are also important for professional socialization and identity in social work. A professional competencies approach has been used to define standards and expectations for social workers-practitioners; it is an evaluation tool for formal education and lifelong learning programs, provides guidance for field practice and placements for social work students, and could be a frame for distinguishing levels of professional expertise. The volume provides an up-to-date, comprehensive overview of a professional competencies approach in social work with 10 chapters organized in four sections: Part I: Understanding a Professional Competencies Approach, including Criticisms of the Competency-Based Education Approach Part II: Major Areas of Professional Competencies, including Leadership and Professional Socialisation Part III: Measuring Professional Competencies and Education Outcomes, including How to Conceptualise, Operationalise and Measure Professional Competencies in Social Work Part IV: Professional Competencies and Professional Development, including A Model of Holistic Competence in Social Work and the unique Professional Capabilities Framework Social Work in the Frame of a Professional Competencies Approach is essential reading for social work instructors, academics and national professional associations interested in developing or reviewing their professional competencies framework. It is an invaluable resource for experts in statutory bodies that set up a legislative framework of social work practice or work in the accreditation of social work education programs. The book is useful for social work students interested in understanding the theoretical background of social work, as well as for field practitioners who wish to use professional competencies for their self-reflection, self-evaluation and professional identity.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) has become a vibrant source of workforce development across the globe. It is no longer an offering only for a specialized sector of students. Instead, it has matured into a sound and meaningful program for high school and postsecondary students across interest areas, and abilities. CTE programs and students realize the great relevancy of the programs to workplace and higher education readiness and immediate earning power. This volume addresses the changing needs of foundation courses in CTE. As land grant universities began to offer courses to cover the historical, social and philosophical aspects of CTE, teaching institutions have followed suit. Therefore, readers will find not only a rich background in history and philosophy of the field, but also theory, best practice, and strategies specifically grounded in CTE. As scholars and practitioners argue whether human resource development (HRD) encompasses CTE or vice versa in the field, this text proves that HRD is an integral component and thrust of CTE. As a broad field of study, CTE has come a long way and its history parallels the efforts of humanity from the Stone Age to modern civilization. Building Workforce Competencies through CTE proves that CTE survived, and thrives. The more we realize how pervasive technology and information skills are needed in our society, the more we need CTE. CTE is a leader in innovative educational programs, pedagogical theory and practice; it prepares people, young and old, for the world of work. This book provides a practical and visionary basis for cultivating future opportunities and directions in CTE.

The inspiration for this monograph is the progress in information and IT technologies observed over several decades and the accompanying development of digital competences. The collected results of the research work are grouped into three distinct chapters, which, at the same time, have a common denominator in research perspectives. Network-based economy, innovation-based economy, and competence-based economy are primarily analyzed in relation to technological changes in the ICT area. Each of these perspectives ultimately leads towards Economy 4.0 due to the progressing digital revolution, called the fourth industrial revolution. The contemporary importance of networks, innovations and managerial competences in the economy is analyzed primarily in connection with technological progress. The issue of networks in economic life has been developing for over 30 years. The role of the network in achieving a competitive advantage is unquestioned, while research issues are still being developed. This technological perspective is the most important context for network research today. Contemporary business models are developed based on a skillfully built inter-organizational network and a consciously used intra-organizational network. This applies to both commercial organizations and public entities. These issues are reflected in articles contained in this monograph, in particular in the first chapter. Various research conducted in organizations proves the increasing awareness of the importance of social life by managers and leaders, as well as the increase in the ability to build networks using information and ICT. Research on networks, which allows an understanding of the phenomenon of network formation, leads to the creation of methods and tools supporting network management. Modern network researchers, especially in the field of management sciences, point out that understanding the nature of the network and the possibilities of interacting with the network will determine the competitive position of the organization. This awareness and the complexity of the network are a constant motivation to develop knowledge and use its application character. The concept of an innovation-based economy is included in the second chapter and is also related to technological progress in the field of communication. The studies presented relate to the degree of innovation, skillful differentiation of innovation and imitation, the effectiveness of project financing, and the implementation of innovation. An important contribution to building knowledge on innovation comes from research conducted in individual sectors or regions, where a new, important perspective is gained, and specific, sometimes unique determinants of creating innovation are pointed out. References to regional and sectoral conditions can be found in individual subchapters. The research conclusions drawn have a cognitive and practical value for both researchers and management practitioners. In the third chapter of the monograph, studies that make an important contribution to building or verifying knowledge about the competence-based economy are grouped together. The research refers to the most important management problems and barriers to the development of organizations related to employees’ competences. Reference was made to many research currents in management, e.g. to empower employees, build the image of the employer, and the concept of sustainable development. Due to their long history of development, they would seem to be running out, while researchers prove that in contemporary commercial and non-commercial organizations deficits in managerial competencies are still identified. This applies to both human management and technical competences, especially digital. Therefore, research indicating the reasons for a lack of competence, in an era of strong popularization of these issues, seems to be interesting. The purpose of this monograph was to present current research results and their importance in developing knowledge about the economy based on networks, innovations, and competences. A lot of research was conducted from the perspective of changes in technological progress and the challenges of Economy 4.0. The new possibilities brought by the digital revolution in the field of building and managing networks and developing network-based business models cannot be underestimated. It should be expected that future innovations will be developed mainly thanks to digital progress and will be determined by the digital competences of managers and leaders. Modern research also shows that new generations of employees will compete primarily in the use of modern technological solutions such as data acquisition and processing, analyzes and simulations on large data sets (big data, science data), automation and robotization of production processes, software integration, cloud solutions, and especially the increasingly comprehensive use of the Internet. The importance of scientific research for learning about future phenomena, understanding and taming the future is invaluable. The authors and editors of the book express the hope that the research results presented in it will become an inspiration for new scientific explorations and the implementation of changes in organizations and economics.

This book presents a comprehensive overview of extant literature on competence-based vocational and professional education since the introduction of the competence concept in the 1950s. To structure the fi eld, the book distinguishes between three approaches to defi ning competence, based on 1.functional behaviourism, 2. integrated occupationalism, and 3. situated professionalism. It also distinguishes between two ways of operationalizing competence: 1. behaviour-oriented generic, and 2. task-oriented specifi c competence. Lastly, it identifi es three kinds of competencies, related to: 1. specific activities, 2. known jobs, and 3. the unknown future. Competence for the unknown future must receive more attention, as our world is rapidly evolving and there are many ‘glocal’ challenges which call for innovation and a profound transformation of policies and practices. Th e book presents a range of diff erent approaches to competence-based education, and demonstrates that competencebased education is a worldwide innovation, which is institutionalized in various ways. It presents the major theories and policies, specifi c components of educational systems, such as recognition, accreditation, modelling and assessment, and developments in discipline-oriented and transversal competence domains. Th e book concludes by synthesizing the diff erent perspectives with the intention to contribute to further improving vocational and professional education policy and practice. Joao Santos, Deputy Head of Unit C5, Vocational Training and Adult Education, Directorate General for Employment, Social Aff airs and Inclusion, European Commission: “This comprehensive work on competence-based education led by Martin Mulder, provides an excellent and timely contribution to the current debate on a New Skills Agenda for Europe, and the challenge of bridging the employment and education and training worlds closer together. Th is book will infl uence our work aimed at improving the relevance of vocational education to support initial and continuing vocational education and training policy and practice aimed at strengthening the key competencies for the 21st century.” Prof. Dr. Reinhold Weiss, Deputy President and Head of the Research, Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), Bonn, Germany: “This book illustrates that the idea and concept of competence is not only a buzzword in educational debates but key to innovative pedagogical thinking as well as educational practice.” Prof. Dr. Johanna Lasonen, College of Education, University of South Florida, Tampa, USA: "Competence-based Vocational and Professional Education is one of the most important multi-disciplinary book in education and training. Th is path-breaking book off ers a timely, rich and global perspective on the fi eld. Th e book is a good resource for practitioners, policymakers and researchers."

The Institute of Medicine study Crossing the Quality Chasm (2001) recommended that an interdisciplinary summit be held to further reform of health professions education in order to enhance quality and patient safety. Health Professions Education: A Bridge to Quality is the follow up to that summit, held in June 2002, where 150 participants across disciplines and occupations developed ideas about how to integrate a core set of competencies into health professions education. These core competencies include patient-centered care, interdisciplinary teams, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and informatics. This book recommends a mix of approaches to health education improvement, including those related to oversight processes, the training environment, research, public reporting, and leadership. Educators, administrators, and health professionals can use this book to help achieve an approach to education that better prepares clinicians to meet both the needs of patients and the requirements of a changing health care system.