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Skills shortages and industry renewal: rethinking work and occupational knowledge when recognising prior learning

Shore, Sue, Whitington, Victoria and Thompson, Carol (2012). Skills shortages and industry renewal: rethinking work and occupational knowledge when recognising prior learning. In: 15th Annual AVETRA Conference, Canberra , ACT, 12-13th April 2012.

Document type: Conference Paper

IRMA ID 82056760xPUB171
Author Shore, Sue
Whitington, Victoria
Thompson, Carol
Title Skills shortages and industry renewal: rethinking work and occupational knowledge when recognising prior learning
Conference Name 15th Annual AVETRA Conference
Conference Location Canberra , ACT
Conference Dates 12-13th April 2012
Conference Publication Title The Value and Voice of VET Research for individuals, industry, community and the nation
Place of Publication Australia
Publisher Australian Vocational Education and Training Research Association (AVETRA)
Publication Year 2012
ISBN 978-0-9805275-3-7   (check CDU catalogue  open catalogue search in new window)
Total Pages 11
HERDC Category E1 - Conference Publication (DIISR)
Abstract Credit transfer and recognition of prior learning (RPL) are related policy strategies that aim to improve pathways to learning and employment. This paper describes a higher education RPL initiative to build rich understandings of ‘work’ and so also the occupational knowledge accumulated by practitioners, sometimes over many decades. Located in the early childhood education (ECE) field, the study was prompted by recent policy changes to meet quality assurance requirements of early childhood provision. The initiative used a multidisciplinary approach to occupational knowledge drawing on feminist sociology, professional and work-related learning and early childhood theories of provision. A higher education ‘foundation course’ was used to identify and accredit prior learning. Data were collected from students undertaking the course. In brief findings indicate participants had accumulated extensive occupational knowledge but were often unable to articulate this experience in relation to formal learning outcomes or broader notions of ECE occupational knowledge and they experienced substantial challenges to their occupational identities as they shifted between being competent professionals and university learners. The findings have implications for contemporary workforces as occupational knowledge requirements are continuously upgraded and older workers are encouraged to remain in the workforce.
Additional Notes Abstract 48
Description for Link Link to conference proceedings
URL http://avetra.org.au/publications/conference-archives/conference-2012-papers
 
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Created: Fri, 17 Jan 2014, 00:18:49 CST