School studies as a part of lifelong learning: is vocational education and training in secondary schools making a contribution?

The need for lifelong learning has long been highlighted by the changing social, technological and global contexts. This learning occurs in many structured and unstructured forms, for example, formal education and workplace learning. Much of the rhetoric surrounding lifelong learning has focused on the higher education and post secondary vocational education sectors. Within this structure, little attention has been given to students in secondary schools who participate in Vocational Education and Training (VET) oriented courses. Similarly, research into the influence of these types of learning experiences on the individual students, in preparation for a lifetime of learning has been limited. This paper outlines research undertaken, that has been based on VET teacher perceptions in public school settings. These perceptions relate to the ability and extent of how quality VET programs in secondary schools inform dimensions of lifelong learning. The findings of this small collaborative study provide a framework for ongoing discussion and debate within VET in schools programs.