This paper examines the changing nature of vocationalisation within the human resource development (HRD) agenda that came to the fore several decades ago. Although originally it included a broader interpretation (education and training, health, standards of living), gradually, over time, a narrower definition has come to prevail (Kelly, 2001). Therefore, the economic aspect of HRD, that is the development of employability skills, is currently the main emphasis within policy development. This employability focus has changed the nature of vocationalisation from 'educational' to 'functional', however, in many cases that brings general and vocational education together at both secondary and higher education levels. This paper also reveals that vocationalisation depends on the level of economic development and cultural specificities. Analysis of vocationalisation at secondary level is followed by a brief examination of post-secondary TVET that through articulation pathways are linked to higher education and lastly, vocationalisation of higher education.