highquality vocational programmes embed core academic skills into an occupationally focused curriculum in contrast programmes that focus very narrowly on occupational skills can leave students illprepared to navigate career transitions or deal with many other demands of modem life that require broader knowledge and skills participating in vocational training can allow students to acquire the skills needed to gain a firm foothold in the labour market which improves their chances of having a successful professional career oecd a evidence shows that highquality vocational education pathways particularly in upper secondary education can help engage students who find it easier to master general concepts and theories when they are connected to practical problems and knowhow