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The low standing of vocational education (VET) and the occupations it serves is emerging as a concern in countries with both advanced and developed industrial economies. This issue manifests itself differently across countries depending on the economic trajectory and where VET sits within their schooling or tertiary education systems. In most instances, however, there are significant consequences for engaging young people in VET provisions, and developing the kinds of skills that the economies in these countries need and, in the places, where they are needed. The standing of VET and the occupations it serves are perennial issues, so there is nothing wholly new here. Drawing on the contributions across the section of this volume, this chapter explores the aspirations and expections of young people, parents and familiars in countries with developed and developing economic bases, and the positioning of VET …