Abstract for 2016 European Society of Research on the Education of Adults Triennial Conference 

Christian Helms Jørgensen, professor mso, Ph.D.
Department of People & Technology, Roskilde University, Denmark 
Paper presentation 
Connecting vocational education with work based learning in four Nordic Countries
Background 
In all the Nordic countries, we see a strong political interest in including (more) work-based learning in vocational education and training (VET) for youth and adults. In addition, all the Nordic countries have attempted to introduce or expand apprenticeship programmes in recent decades, but they have not been very successful. Connecting VET closer to working life and the labour market has many advantages for learners as well as for society, which includes increasing the engagement and the employability of the participant (Kondrup 2015). However, it has turned out to be difficult to get labour market organisation involved in education and to get access to training placements of high quality (Jørgensen 2015). 
Aim of paper
The aim of this paper is to explore strengths and weaknesses of vocational education and training (VET) in the Nordic countries regarding their connection to the labour market. In the Nordic countries, the two dominant types of VET-systems are represented: full time school-based (Sweden and Finland) and apprenticeship-based systems (Denmark) and a mixed type (Norway). This paper examines how these different systems connects to work life and the labour market. A key issue examined is the transition processes of the students to the labour market after completion of VET and the variations in students´ transition patterns between different programmes and occupations. A special interest is taken in the involvement of the labour market organisations in the governance of VET, and the certification and portability of the skills acquired. 
Research design/mode of inquiry
The paper build on extensive data from a comparative research project on four Nordic VET-systems based on a combined framework of historical institutionalism, comparative-historical analysis and critical education studies. The research combines examinations of the institutional architecture at national level with case studies in two occupations in the four Nordic countries. Background research reports are available at www.nord-vet.dk 
Results and significance 
The paper emphasises the significance of intermediary institutions between education and working life in order to enhance the connectivity of the learning processes and the cooperation between the world of work and the world of education. In addition, it presents new ways of organising training that bridges between the two worlds.