Introduction of vocational standards: are there alternative ways?

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to analyze approaches to the development of vocational standards abroad. The authors consider the most alternative approaches of a number of the countries that traditionally have no vocational standards; compare advantages and shortcomings of different approaches in the description of skill standards; show advantages of the use of vocational standards or equivalent documents in different countries; disclose the reasons behind various approaches to labor standardization. The article uses the comparative study method based on the review of home experience of qualifications system development in Soviet and foreign practices. The authors have used the methods of collecting empirical information on approaches to qualifications characteristics in modern vocational standards, URSG, UJEC and in documents of a number of European states; methods of conceptual and terminological analysis, interpretation and modelling, problem method that have yielded the following results: identification of peculiarities of the method of the development of Russian vocational standards, description of arising risks of
their application and planning the ways to overcome them. Science novelty of the work consists in consistent justification of possibilities and limitations in the application of foreign experiences in Russia. Practical importance consists in justification of advantages of the application of vocational standards in Russia and abroad.

Keywords: national qualification system; vocational standards; professional education and training