The Effects of the Bologna Process in Vocational Education and Training: A Theorized Literature-Based Argument

Abstract

Bologna Process (BP), founded to meet growing challenge of international education and fulfill
employment market demands in Europe (Caddick, 2008), has transformed European higher
education system (EACEA P9 Eurydice, 2012) with remarkable results (Vassiliou, 2012). The
Bologna Process has also led to some controversy (Cardoso et al., 2008). Some of these
controversies were expressed as concerns, ranging from lack of financial reforms to adapt
technical education (Reichert & Tauch, 2003) to lack of consultancy resources for technical
advice (Altbach, Reisberg, & Rumbley, 2009), about BP’s impact on vocational education and
training across Europe. Through theoretical framework and literature research methodology, this
paper attempts to illuminate theoretically the impact that BP has had on career and technical
education in Europe.