HC Deb 24 May 1994 vol 244 c101W
Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the definition of vocational training under the proposed Immigration (European Economic Area) Order 1994.

Mr. Charles Wardle

The term vocational training is drawn from article 1 of Council Directive 93/96/EEC which refers to a student as beingenrolled in a recognised educational establishment for the principal purpose of following a vocational training course". In accordance with a judgment of the European Court of Justice vocational training is interpreted very widely in this context to include all forms of higher education and any education which prepares for a qualification or provides the necessary training and skills for a profession, trade or employment even if the training programme includes an element of general education.