REGULATORY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE TRAINING OF CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS IN VOCATIONAL COLLEGES OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
Abstract
The relevance of the article is determined by the necessity of analyzing the regulatory and legal framework for the training of construction professionals within the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system of the United Kingdom, which is essential for implementing progressive British experience into the educational legislation of Ukraine in the context of enhancing the impact of vocational education on post-war reconstruction.
The purpose of the article is to identify and analyze the primary regulatory acts and mechanisms of the United Kingdom governing the activities of vocational colleges in the field of training construction professionals, and to substantiate the possibilities of implementing specific elements of this experience into Ukrainian legislation for the development of vocational education.
Methods: analysis of legislative acts of the British Government, strategic documents, and reports of regulatory bodies (Ofsted, Ofqual, Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education) for the period 2000–2025; study of scientific works by Ukrainian and British scholars to ascertain the current state of research on the problem; comparison to identify differences and common trends between the British and Ukrainian vocational education systems; generalization to formulate conclusions and recommendations.
Results: a comprehensive analysis of the regulatory and legal documents of the United Kingdom regulating the activities of construction-oriented vocational colleges was conducted; key legislative acts (Further and Higher Education Act 1992, Skills and Post-16 Education Act 2022, Building Safety Act 2022, Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009) providing the legal basis for the functioning of vocational colleges were identified; the role of specialized state institutions (Department for Education, Ofsted, IfATE, CITB) in regulating the quality of vocational construction education was characterized; requirements for training programs, certification, and accreditation in construction fields were outlined; promising directions for implementing British experience in the context of improving the regulatory and legal framework for the vocational training of construction professionals in Ukraine were determined.
Conclusions: it was established that the legislative framework of the United Kingdom regarding the training of construction professionals in vocational colleges provides a clear distribution of powers among regulators, defines qualification standards, and ensures that training content meets the requirements of the modern construction industry; the implementation of specific elements of British experience (mechanisms of institutional autonomy, practice-oriented learning, and the participation of industry partners in the formation of educational standards) is promising for improving the regulatory and legal framework for training construction professionals in vocational colleges of Ukraine.
Keywords
regulatory and legal framework, further education colleges, United Kingdom, training of construction professionals, education legislation
References
- Авшенюк, Н. М., Дяченко, Л. М., Огієнко, О. І., Пазюра, Н. В., & Постригач, Н. О. (2022). Забезпечення якості педагогічної освіти у зарубіжних країнах (Монографія). Київ: ІПООД НАПН України. https://lib.iitta.gov.ua/id/eprint/733665/1/Монографія_НД_2022.pdf
- Бідюк, Н. (2000). Розвиток змісту та форм організації підготовки бакалаврів інженерії в університетах Великої Британії (Автореф. дис. канд. пед. наук, Тернопільський державний педагогічний університет імені В. Гнатюка). https://lnk.ua/y4zj7KR4j
- Десятов, Т. М. (2018). Компаративно-педагогічне дослідження підготовки вчителів у великій Британії: результатоцентрований підхід. Вісник Черкаського університету. Серія «Педагогічні науки», (3), 43-49. https://eprints.cdu.edu.ua/6102/1/adminojs%2C%2B7.pdf
- Леу, С. О. (2018). Сучасні стандарти ПОН: досвід Великої Британії. Інноваційна педагогіка, 5, 110-115. https://lib.iitta.gov.ua/id/eprint/713481/1/SL_VET_Standards_GB.pdf
- Пуховська, Л. П., Ворначев, А. О., Мельник, С. В., Кравець, Ю. І. (2014). Професійні стандарти і кваліфікації у країнах з високорозвинутою економікою (Л. П. Пуховська, ред.). Київ: НВП «Поліграфсервіс». https://nmc-pto.dp.ua/doc/2016/kordos_35.pdf
- Пуховська, Л. (2018). Професійна освіта та інновації: досвід країн Європейського Союзу. Професійна педагогіка, 14, 124-132. https://doi.org/10.32835/2223-5752.2017.14.124-132
- Радкевич, В. (2025). Ключові тенденції розвитку системи забезпечення якості професійної освіти і підготовки у Великій Британії. Професійна педагогіка, 2(31), 3-20. https://doi.org/10.32835/2707-3092.2025.31.3-20
- Adams, S. (2004). A consideration of the nature, role, application and implications for European education of employing “learning outcomes” at the local, national and international levels. Edinburgh: Scottish Executive. https://www.scirp.org/reference/referencespapers?referenceid=1692948
- Bjornavold, J., & Coles, M. (2007). Governing education and training: The case of qualifications frameworks. European Journal of Vocational Training, 42–43, 204–233.
- British Council. (2022). The UK technical and vocational education and training (TVET) systems: An introduction. British Council. https://www.britishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/the_uk_technical_and_vocational_education_and_training_systems.pdf
- Cedefop. (2015). Vocational education and training in the United Kingdom: Short description (Cedefop ReferNet VET in Europe reports). Publications Office of the European Union. https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/files/5159_en.pdf
- Cedefop. (2020). Vocational education and training in Europe: United Kingdom. VET in Europe reports 2020. Publications Office of the European Union. https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/files/4168_en_uk.pdf
- Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). (n.d.). History citb.co.uk. https://www.citb.co.uk/about-citb/what-we-do/history/
- Cedefop. (n.d.). CITB levy/Industrial Training Levy (construction). Database on Financing Apprenticeships. https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/tools/financing-apprenticeships/financing-instruments/citb-levyindustrial-training-levy-construction
- Department for Education (DfE). (2022). Skills Bill becomes law – Press release. GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/skills-bill-becomes-law
- Department for Education (DfE). (2024). New skills hubs launched to get Britain building – Press release. GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-skills-hubs-launched-to-get-britain-building
- Department for Education. (2022). Skills and Post-16 Education Act. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2022/21
- Department for Education. (2025). Skills England: Better skills for better jobs. Blog Skills England. https://skillsengland.blog.gov.uk/2025/08/13/skills-england-better-skills-for-better-jobs/
- Fuller, A., & Unwin, L. (2003). Learning as apprentices in the contemporary UK workplace: Creating and managing expansive participation. Journal of Education and Work, 16(4), 407–426. https://doi.org/10.1080/1363908032000093012
- Further and Higher Education Act 1992. (1992). UK Public General Acts. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1992/13/contents
- New skills hubs launched to get Britain building (2024). GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-skills-hubs-launched-to-get-britain-building
- Raggatt, P., & Williams, S. (1999). Government, markets and vocational qualifications: An anatomy of policy. London: Falmer Press. http://pisebooks.com/raggatt-peter-williams-steve-PDF-29451329.pdf
- UK Parliament. (1944). Education Act 1944 (7 & 8 Geo, 6. c. 31). https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Geo6/7-8/31/enacted
- UK Parliament. (1964). Industrial Training Act (1964, c. 16). https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1964/16
- Translated & Transliterated
- Avsheniuk, N. M., Diachenko, L. M., Ohiienko, O. I., Paziura, N. V., & Postryhach, N. O. (2022). Zabezpechennia yakosti pedahohichnoi osvity u zarubizhnykh krainakh [Quality assurance of teacher education in foreign countries]. IPOD NAES of Ukraine. https://lib.iitta.gov.ua/id/eprint/733665/1/
- Монографія_НД_2022.pdf, [in Ukrainian].
- Bidyuk, N. (2000). Rozvytok zmistu ta form orhanizatsii pidhotovky bakalavriv inzhenierii v universytetakh Velykoi Brytanii [Development of the content and forms of engineering bachelor training in UK universities] (Candidate dissertation abstract). Ternopil State Pedagogical University named after V. Hnatiuk. https://lnk.ua/y4zj7KR4j, [in Ukrainian].
- Desiatov, T. M. (2018). Komparatyvno-pedahohichne doslidzhennia pidhotovky vchyteliv u Velykii Brytanii: rezultatotsentrovanyi pidkhid [Comparative pedagogical study of teacher training in the UK: A result-oriented approach]. Visnyk Cherkaskoho universytetu. Seriia "Pedahohichni nauky" [Bulletin of Cherkasy University. Pedagogical Sciences], 3, 43–49. https://eprints.cdu.edu.ua/6102/1/adminojs%2C%2B7.pdf, [in Ukrainian].
- Leu, S. O. (2018). Suchasni standarty PON: dosvid Velykoi Brytanii [Modern VET standards: UK experience]. Innovatsiina pedahohika [Innovative Pedagogy], 5, 110–115. https://lib.iitta.gov.ua/id/eprint/713481/1/SL_VET_Standards_GB.pdf, [in Ukrainian].
- Pukhovska, L. P., Vornachev, A. O., Melnyk, S. V., & Kravets, Yu. I. (2014). Profesiini standarty i kvalifikatsii u krainakh z vysokorozvynutoiu ekonomikoiu [Professional standards and qualifications in highly developed economies] (L. P. Pukhovska, Ed.). NVPP "Polihrafservis". https://nmc-pto.dp.ua/doc/2016/kordos_35.pdf, [in Ukrainian].
- Pukhovska, L. (2018). Profesiina osvita ta innovatsii: dosvid krain Yevropeiskoho Soiuzu [Vocational education and innovations: EU experience]. Profesina pedahohika [Professional Pedagogics], 14, 124-132. https://doi.org/10.32835/2223-5752.2017.14.124-132, [in Ukrainian].
- Radkevych, V. (2025). Kliuchovi tendentsii rozvytku systemy zabezpechennia yakosti profesiinoi osvity i pidhotovky u Velykii Brytanii [Key trends in the development of the quality assurance system of vocational education and training in the UK]. Profesina pedahohika [Professional Pedagogics], 2(31), 3-20. https://doi.org/10.32835/2707-3092.2025.31.3-20, [in Ukrainian].
- Adams, S. (2004). A consideration of the nature, role, application and implications for European education of employing “learning outcomes” at the local, national and international levels. Scottish Executive. https://www.scirp.org/reference/referencespapers?referenceid=1692948, [in English].
- Bjornavold, J., & Coles, M. (2007). Governing education and training: The case of qualifications frameworks. European Journal of Vocational Training, 42-43, 204-233, [in English].
- British Council. (2022). The UK technical and vocational education and training (TVET) systems: An introduction. British Council. https://www.britishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/the_uk_technical_and_vocational_education_and_training_systems.pdf, [in English].
- Cedefop. (2015). Vocational education and training in the United Kingdom: Short description. Publications Office of the European Union. https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/files/5159_en.pdf, [in English].
- Cedefop. (2020). Vocational education and training in Europe: United Kingdom. Publications Office of the European Union. https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/files/4168_en_uk.pdf, [in English].
- Cedefop. (n.d.). CITB levy/Industrial Training Levy (construction). Database on Financing Apprenticeships. https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/tools/financing-apprenticeships/financing-instruments/citb-levyindustrial-training-levy-construction, [in English].
- Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). (n.d.). History. https://www.citb.co.uk/about-citb/what-we-do/history/, [in English].
- Department for Education (DfE). (2022). Skills Bill becomes law – Press release. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/skills-bill-becomes-law, [in English].
- Department for Education (DfE). (2024). New skills hubs launched to get Britain building – Press release. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-skills-hubs-launched-to-get-britain-building, [in English].
- Department for Education. (2022). Skills and Post-16 Education Act. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2022/21, [in English].
- Department for Education. (2025). Skills England: Better skills for better jobs. https://skillsengland.blog.gov.uk/2025/08/13/skills-england-better-skills-for-better-jobs/, [in English].
- Fuller, A., & Unwin, L. (2003). Learning as apprentices in the contemporary UK workplace. Journal of Education and Work, 16(4), 407–426. https://doi.org/10.1080/1363908032000093012, [in English].
- Further and Higher Education Act 1992. (1992). UK Public General Acts. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1992/13/contents, [in English].
- GOV.UK. (2024). New skills hubs launched to get Britain building. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-skills-hubs-launched-to-get-britain-building, [in English].
- Raggatt, P., & Williams, S. (1999). Government, markets and vocational qualifications: An anatomy of policy. Falmer Press. http://pisebooks.com/raggatt-peter-williams-steve-PDF-29451329.pdf, [in English].
- UK Parliament. (1944). Education Act 1944. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Geo6/7-8/31/enacted, [in English].
- UK Parliament. (1964). Industrial Training Act 1964. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1964/16, [in English].