Skills and Training in Hierarchical Capitalism: The Rise and Fall of Vocational Training in South Korea

From an economic model in which education and growth reinforced each other, South Korea has developed a pathological equilibrium holding back social progress. Low labour productivity skills mismatch undermine the prospects of country, sharp rises inequality ever more dualised market erode cohesion. Governments different political persuasion have recognised these challenges, they thought to reinvigorate vocational training (VET). However, this article shows that large employers – were at heart segmentalist coalition between business government when collective formation Developmental State was dismantled continue any efforts meaningful formation. It is argued country’s hierarchical production regime and, related this, dualisation provide micro-foundations for successive failure VET reform; without challenging employers’ dominant position Korean economy addressing dualism, reform policy can be expected remain futile endeavour.