@article{article_1591923, title={Comparison of Vocational Education Practices of Some Countries in the Context of OECD Labour Force Participation Statistics}, journal={International Journal of Turkish Education Sciences}, volume={13}, pages={647–698}, year={2025}, DOI={10.46778/goputeb.1591923}, author={Yiğittekin, Murat and Mermer, Sümeyye}, keywords={Karşılaştırmalı Eğitim, Mesleki Eğitim, İş Gücüne Katılım, OECD}, abstract={The objective of this study is to undertake a comparative analysis of vocational education practices in Iceland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, and Türkiye. These countries have been selected according to their ranking in the labour force participation rates statistics published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 2022, which are organized according to the population aged 15-64. In this statistic, Iceland, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland have been placed in the top four positions, while Türkiye has been ranked 41st. The underlying assumption of this study is that the vocational education policies of these countries may be associated with labour force participation and employment processes. Moreover, it is acknowledged that there is a paucity of comparative studies on this issue in the existing literature. Consequently, this study was designed with the foresight that it would make an important contribution to the existing body of knowledge. The study employed a qualitative research approach. The data pertaining to the study were collected through document analysis. To enhance the reliability of the findings, statistical data concerning the countries under study were obtained from official reports, institutional websites, international reports and relevant literature. In addition, meticulous attention was paid to ensure that the data obtained were reported in a way to cover the same period. After obtaining the data, demographic and economic structures, compulsory education and education management approaches, the historical process of vocational education practices and current vocational education practices of the examined countries were compared. In the light of the information obtained from this analysis, the labour force participation rates of the countries and the labour force participation status of vocational education graduates were examined. The results revealed that the employment rates of students who have recently graduated from vocational education in Türkiye are in the lowest position among the countries under comparison. In this context, recommendations have been made that echo those made in the context of the aforementioned countries, including the necessity of planning vocational education practices in Türkiye based on job analysis, the encouragement of vocational education, and the increase in public resources allocated to education.}, number={2}, publisher={Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa Üniversitesi}