TVETipedia Glossary

Workplace learning

Learning or training undertaken in the workplace, usually on the job, including on-the-job training under normal operational conditions, and on-site training, which is conducted away from the work process (e.g. in a training room).

Source:
NCVER (Australia), VOCEDplus: Glossary of VET, (accessed 05/2026)
NCVER (Australia), VOCEDplus: Glossary of VET, (accessed 05/2026)
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This glossary is a compilation of Australian vocational education and training (VET) terms and acronyms. It includes both current and historical terms, concepts, acronyms and other abbreviations found in Australian VET research, policy and data.

The process of learning through experience at the workplace, both formally and informally, and through different forms of working arrangements, such as teams or one-to-one. Also the creation of a learning environment in the workplace.

Source:
UNESCO-UNEVOC/NCVER, TVET glossary: some key terms, 2009
UNESCO-UNEVOC/NCVER, TVET glossary: some key terms, 2009
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This glossary has been published in the "International Handbook of Education for the Changing World of Work" (Vol. 1, chapter 5)
"The glossary aims to reflect the terminology found in the recent literature of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) research, policy and practice internationally. The most common and significant terms (including acronyms) are listed and, in some cases, national and regional variations have been included. To maintain an international perspective, other national and international glossaries and thesauri were consulted in conjunction with current TVET literature from around the world. Where definitions have been written by other organizations, the source of that definition is acknowledged. Unattributed definitions were created in-house at the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). For some terms, where, for example, there are regional differences, more than one meaning has been provided."

Learning which takes place on site in the workplace, which can be statutory (e.g. health and safety), occupational and related to specific jobs, or wider programmes such as literacy, numeracy and language.

Source:
EU, European Adult Learning Glossary, Level 2, 2010
EU, European Adult Learning Glossary, Level 2, 2010
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This glossary is one output of European Commission project EAC/11/2008, 'Study on European Terminology in Adult Learning for a common language and common understanding and monitoring of the sector'. Work on this study was led by the National Research and Development Centre for Adult Literacy and Numeracy (NRDC), Institute of Education, London in collaboration with colleagues from the Deutsches Institut für Erwachsenenbildung (DIE), the Agence Nationale de Lutte contre l'illetrisme (ANLCI) and the University of Warsaw. Terms listed [...] are presented under six conceptual headings [...]. A seventh grouping representing general theories and concept in adult learning has also been including. The seven groups are: Theories and concepts in adult learning, Adult learning strategy, policy and legislation, adult skills and competences, access to and participation in adult learning, investment in adult learning, quality of adult learning, outcomes and of adult learning.

Learning or training undertaken in the workplace, usually on the job or on-site. (synonym to on-the-job training).

Source:
ILO, Upgrading informal apprenticeship: A resource guide for Africa, 2012
ILO, Upgrading informal apprenticeship: A resource guide for Africa, 2012
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This publication promotes a policy learning approach to build on the strengths of informal apprenticeship systems and reap their potential. It provides an overview of what we know about upgrading informal apprenticeship for decision- makers in ministries, trade unions and employers’ organizations, ILO skills and employment specialists in the field, and training experts in other international or national development agencies who are dealing with or envisage dealing with the training system of the informal economy.