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Quality in vocational education and training: an essentially contested concept

Zoellner, Donald L. (2015). Quality in vocational education and training: an essentially contested concept. International Journal of Training Research,13(3):262-271.

Document type: Journal Article
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IRMA ID 84278914xPUB79
Title Quality in vocational education and training: an essentially contested concept
Author Zoellner, Donald L.
Journal Name International Journal of Training Research
Publication Date 2015
Volume Number 13
Issue Number 3
ISSN 1448-0220   (check CDU catalogue open catalogue search in new window)
Scopus ID 2-s2.0-84953740412
Start Page 262
End Page 271
Total Pages 10
Place of Publication Australia
Publisher Routledge
Field of Research EDUCATION
HERDC Category C1 - Journal Article (DIISR)
Abstract Quality’s appeal resides in the genetics of Australia’s national training system and its early 1990s development. Deploying Bacchi’s application of contested concepts, problem representation and their place in public policy development and implementation, it is argued that quality plays an important systemic transactional function. In addition to serving as a more traditional warranty of skills transfer and acquisition, quality facilitates the operation of a highly complex system by providing a field of contestation, allowing a variety of national organisations to manoeuvre, exert influence and seek control over vocational education and training. This discourse analysis of the contents of key 2013 documents, authorised by four national training system institutions, produced two results. One demonstrates the contested nature of quality – something claiming a singular fixed meaning, but actually showing multiple realities. Secondly, the problems created and promulgated are scrutinised for the related resolution mechanisms that give form to political aspirations.
Keywords quality
vocational education and training
contested concept
control
VET
DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14480220.2015.1102469   (check subscription with CDU E-Gateway service for CDU Staff and Students  check subscription with CDU E-Gateway in new window)
 
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Created: Tue, 26 Jul 2016, 12:55:43 CST