Abstract
This research investigates the historical changes of the educational system for the clothing departments at vocational high schools. According to the growth of the fashion industry, employment potential in the clothing departments of the vocational high schools, numerical changes in the educational statistics, and curriculums were investigated by papers, reports, and statistic data. The statistic data were derived from the 'Center Educational Statistics and Information', 'School Information' (Hak-gyo Alimi), 'Korean Statistical Information Services' and internet home pages of vocational high schools. Technical service workers that graduate from clothing departments and vocational high schools have limited competitiveness in a thriving fashion industry field. Highly developed fashion industries require more professional workers in fashion design, fashion marketing, and fashion materials. Compared to 1994, when 35 classes were conducted in 5 vocational high schools, 69 classes are now conducted at 15 schools. They have over 2,000 students and produce over 600 graduates. However, 222 credits of the $1^{st}$ curriculum in 1958 went down to 82 credits in the 2007 revised curriculum to complete the credits of clothing departments. The 15 courses of the 1st curriculum fell to 5 courses in the 2007 revised curriculum on the number of major subjects. It is a fundamental problem that major courses in clothing education have been excessively reduced despite the demand for of highly specialized workers in the fashion industry. In the view of operating conditions of those schools, there were several problems such as the wide gaps in the curriculum, limited equipment, the supply of teachers, and counseling on the choice of college or a career. In conclusion, the following measures are required: 1) the increase of complement credits in major subjects and renovation of curriculum, 2) national substantial support to change the social circumstance concerning vocational education and occupational consciousness, 3) operation of credit approving systems in universities and colleges for students that have completed the same courses at vocational high schools, 4) designing realistic programs for vocational education and cooperation systems with corporate enterprises.
