Handbook of Vocational Education and Training

Jagdish N. Sheth is the Charles H. Kellstadt Professor of Marketing at Emory University. Renowned for seminal works like The Theory of Buyer Behavior and The Rule of Three, he has published over 350 works on consumer behaviour, competitive strategy, and emerging markets, profoundly impacting modern marketing. Sheth’s distinguished career includes roles at the University of Southern California, the University of Illinois, Columbia University, and MIT. He received the Padma Bhushan in 2020, India’s highest civilian honour for non-resident Indians, for his global contributions. His influence spans academia and industry, recognised by the American Marketing Association, the American Psychological Association, and numerous international bodies.Samik Shome is a development economist and social scientist. He holds a PhD from the University of Calcutta, India, specialising in public policy and labour economics. Shome is a Professor of Economics at the Institute of Management, Nirma University, India. His research focuses on grassroots government programme implementation, model building, and strategic frameworks. He actively serves on committees for various Indian ministries and collaborates on government and community projects. He has published over 50 papers in top journals and presented his research at international conferences, contributing widely to economics and public policy.

‘The NEP 2020 has been a game-changer where equal importance is given to skilling and general education to create holistic employable and entrepreneurial individuals. To turn this into reality, there was a need for creating a handbook to handhold and mentor educational institutes. Two well-known educationists and management experts, Prof. Jagadish Sheth and Prof. Samik Shome, have come up with such a book integrating skill-based education with mainstream education. This would guide us on the right path to approach in achieving the goal.’Prof. Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman of National Educational Technology Forum (NETF), Ministry of Education, Govt. of India‘The Handbook of Vocational Education and Training: Foundation for Transforming the Nation emphasises the pivotal role of VET systems in addressing skill gaps, fostering economic transformation, and promoting social inclusivity through global best practices and technological advancements. It advocates for embedding VET in national strategies to empower individuals, strengthen industries, and align workforce development with India’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.’Prof. Raj Nehru, Founding Vice-Chancellor, Shri Vishwakarma Skill University, India‘The Handbook of Vocational Education by Prof. Jagdish Sheth and Prof. Samik Shome is an invaluable resource for fostering skill-oriented education by bridging academia and industry. It provides universities with actionable insights to design industry-relevant curricula, promote employability, and contribute to India’s transformation into a global knowledge and skill hub.’Prof. Dhirendra Pal Singh, Chancellor, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, India and Former Chairman, University Grants Commission (UGC)‘The Handbook of Vocational Education by Prof. Jagdish Sheth and Prof. Samik Shome is a groundbreaking work that highlights the critical role of skill-based learning in national development. Drawing lessons from Singapore’s remarkable transformation through vocational education, this book offers a global perspective and practical frameworks for building robust, future-ready education systems worldwide.’Prof. TAN Chin Tiong, Professor Emeritus, Professor of Marketing, Singapore Management University, Singapore‘Vocational Education and Training has played and continues to play an utterly critical role in economic empowerment of many communities, in workforce development, and in education diplomacy for expansion of international collaborations and ecosystem partnership. Dr. Sheth and Dr. Shome have brilliantly articulated and offered an utterly practical and transformative blueprint for adoption by many societal sectors and communities.’Prof. Reza Jafari, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chesapeake College, Maryland, USA‘In today's fast-paced world of technological shifts and evolving workforce needs, Handbook of Vocational Education and Training: Foundation for Transforming the Nation serves as a timely and essential guide. It delves into the historical roots, global best practices, and forward-looking strategies of VET, showcasing its critical role in fostering economic growth and societal progress. With rich examples from diverse nations, this handbook provides actionable insights for policymakers, educators, and industry leaders to reimagine vocational education as a cornerstone of resilience and adaptability. A must-read for anyone committed to shaping a sustainable and equitable future.’Prof. Anders Gustafsson, Research Professor - Department of Marketing and BI Norwegian Business School, Norway‘The Handbook of Vocational Education and Training: Foundation for Transforming the Nation by Prof. Jagdish N. Sheth and Prof. Samik Shome underscores the transformative potential of VET in bridging skill gaps, reshaping career perceptions, and empowering individuals to meet the demands of a dynamic job market. By analysing VET systems and policies across 20 countries, the book highlights best practices and strategic collaborations essential for skill enhancement, economic growth, and national development.’Prof. V. Venkata Ramana, Professor, School of Management Studies, University of Hyderabad, India; Former Vice Chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies, India and Former Chairman, Telangana Council of Higher Education, Government of Telangana, India

• 1. How Does Vocational Education Transforms Nations? 2. VET in Germany – The Gold Standard 3. VET in the United Kingdom – The Pioneers of the Industrial Revolution 4. VET in Scandinavia – Divergent Models of VET 5. VET in the United States of America (U.S.A.) – Opportunities for Alternative Employment 6. VET in Japan –The Creation of Industrial Manpower 7. VET in China – Promoting Skilled Talents 8. VET in India – Harnessing the Demographic Dividend 9. VET in South Korea – The Miscellaneous Schools 10. VET in ASEAN – The Unique Catalyst for Growth 11. VET in Australia – The Way Towards Lifelong Learning 12. VET in Latin America – Towards a New Pathway 13. VET in Africa – Avenues of Employment Generation 14. Epilogue Index