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Competence Theory and Research: A Synthesis

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Competence-based Vocational and Professional Education

Abstract

This concluding chapter synthesises the chapters in the volume Competence-based Vocational and Professional Education. It lists the features which make competence-based education a unique innovation. It points at the EU recently developed key competencies, EU guidelines for assessment, and the 2015 Riga Conclusions on key competencies. It furthermore gives examples of recent EU ICT and Logistics competence frameworks. The chapter also refers to competence initiatives of the OECD, UNDP, ILO and UNEVOC. These examples show that competencebased education is a world-wide innovation. The chapter then answers the eight questions raised in Chap. 1. such as on key drivers behind and dimensions of competence in practice and theory. The chapter proceeds with the discussion of common misunderstandings about competencebased education, and articulates questions for further research. Next, final observations are made and comments are given. Here, a plea is made to pay more attention to competence for the unknown future. This is called competence 3.0. The chapter then presents the final conclusions. The main conclusion is that much has been achieved by the competence-based movement in vocational and professional education, but that there remains a lot to be done to realise its full potential and show its added value. Critical analyses have to be taken into account as much as possible, to overcome the challenges this education innovation faces. The reflections and discussions presented in this volume can be used for that. In sum, although diverse, the collective intention of the competence movement is to align vocational and professional education with the developments and needs in the world of work, science and society, and thereby, to raise the quality of labour-market oriented secondary and higher education, in the best interest of all stakeholders involved.

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  1. Education and Competence Studies Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    Martin Mulder

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    Martin Mulder

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Mulder, M. (2017). Competence Theory and Research: A Synthesis. In: Mulder, M. (eds) Competence-based Vocational and Professional Education. Technical and Vocational Education and Training: Issues, Concerns and Prospects, vol 23. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-41713-4_50

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