Continuing vocational training and innovation in Europe

This paper hypothesises that continuing vocational training (CVT) should have a positive effect on the innovativeness of nations. Using correlation analysis and several variables from the continuing vocational training survey (CVTS), which depicts various aspects of CVT, the hypothesis of a positive connection between CVT and innovation, as measured in patents, is confirmed in the European context: those nations where the commitment to CVT is the highest are also the most innovative countries in Europe. Consequently, investments and commitment to CVT, when properly planned and executed, have a positive effect on the innovativeness of firms and, subsequently, nations. Copyright © 2012 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd