ABSTRACT
Differences between vocational education and training (VET) systems cannot be explained only in terms of their differing position within national education systems, but also in terms of differences in educational concepts. Moreover, these concepts are affected in turn by VET’s position within the system, as illustrated in the understanding of competence in Dutch VET. Although the competence concept was introduced in the most recent innovation round in Dutch VET, it will be argued in this chapter that its meaning is coloured by the long-standing and recurrent debate on the position of VET within the education system.
