Draws from a four-year longitudinal study of young people's experiences of learning in further education. The project, funded by the Further Education Development Agency, focused upon relationships between the personal careers of young people and the structured opportunities for education and traini…
Examines the experiences of Germany and Sweden in their attempts to develop core skills and key competencies among trainees and young employees. Particular attention is devoted to vocational training as a promising school-to-work transition process, which stimulates and supports the development of c…
Through the medium of a case study of Birmingham’s ethnic minority-owned independent restaurant sector, the nature of training in the firms, the reasons for informal training, and employees’ tolerance of harsh working conditions are examined. The reluctance of many small businesses to utilise formal…
Examines some of the changes that have occurred in the labour market for young people in the last quarter of a century. Then proceeds to describe the nature of the relevant policy interventions during this same period, in particular the exhortation that “learning pays”. This provides the context for…
The main focus of this paper is a case study of the progression links onto a new undergraduate business programme (Business Enterprise) that have been established for modern apprentices between Coventry Business School and Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, Training and Enterprise. The c…
The new vocationalist policies, exemplified by youth training schemes, do virtually nothing to foster economic development. Such moves are very different to the vocational training of apprenticeships. However, a simple return to apprenticeships is not appropriate. The future of training should be le…
Discusses the impact of high wages and investment strategies in physical and human capital on eastern Germany post unification. Introduces the concept of learning-by-doing as an externality of high quality investment. Provides some eclectic arguments in support of learning-by-doing effects which may…
Concentrates on the mentoring support for teachers in further education (FE) and higher education (HE), rather than the mentoring of students following qualification programmes. Raises issues of definition and argues the need for peer mentoring. Evaluates mentoring models and explores issues of role…
In spite of the central role accorded to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in recent government White Papers on competitiveness and national vocational education and training (VET) policies, the involvement of small firms in national training efforts remains disappointingly marginal. Studies…
Examines the dual system of vocational education and training in Germany and points out that the system is more than just an alternative training arrangement. Draws on the five major features which underlie the principle of the dual system (dualism of learning venues, legalism and public responsibil…
Introduces the concept of non-company-based vocational training in Germany and assesses the impact of vocational training without work experience. Provides primary research results drawn from a representative survey of eastern German trainees in company and non-company-based training. Highlights the…
The Youth Training Scheme (YTS) became operational nationally in September 1983. In May 1990, Youth Training (YT) was introduced to replace YTS. Throughout the economy, substantial numbers of new entrants to the labour market were subsidized by both schemes. In professional football in England and W…
Begins by reviewing technical progress towards establishment of an effective and standardized, competence–based vocational education and training system, and compares this progress with the system in Germany. Describes a number of respects in which the system is failing to meet its objectives. Certa…
Analyses the development of vocational knowledge through two contrasting approaches which are referred to as the “instructional media” and everyday practice. The former is the text–based approach currently favoured by government and the latter is an approach to learning through participation in ever…
Discusses the development of a pilot Modern Apprenticeship initiative by Wakefield College, the Chemical Industry and the local Training Enterprise Council. Highlights the potential of the new initiative and explores the issues involved in ensuring effective partnership to commence a pilot scheme. C…
