Main Content
Session Information
02 SES 08 B, Recognition, Validation and Acquisition of VET qualifications
Paper Session
Contribution
Vocational education and training (VET) is often seen as an instrument to facilitate inclusion of newcomers to labor markets. However, several research (cf. Andersson and Ali 2008, Lasonen & Teräs, 2015) show that newcomers face several obstacles when seeking jobs in their new host societies. The explanation that is often given for the weak position of immigrants (newcomers) in the labor market is that: they lack language skills to compete in the labour market, their education is not attuned to the needs of labour market, and that they lack relevant network, and often are subjected to discrimination. These deficits are used to explain residential segregation of immigrants and their descendants, school segregation, poor educational performance, ethnification of certain niches of the labour market etc and inform policies in the area. Research in this area has paid some attention to concrete institutional processes and practices of recognition of newcomers’ vocational skills and competences (cf. Andersson & Fejes, 2005; Andersson. & Fejes, 2010).This paper examines the policies of RPL (recognition of prior learning) in Finland and in Sweden. The aim is to compare policies in the field in the two countries and thus to enhance understanding of this complex question. Furthermore, there is a need to critically examine the studies focusing on practice of RPL targeting newcomers.
The question the paper focuses on is: To what extent migrants' prior learning is organized and implemented by the different actors? What are the challenges different actors faced in this process in Finland and in Sweden. What are the contextual specific factors that impact the practice?
In this paper we use critical social theory to make sense of the issues addressed in this paper. In this framework concept of recognition is seen broadly. For example, Taylor and Honneth emphasize that individuals require membership in social groups with recognition to their distinctiveness, rights and resources. According to Taylor (1994), human life has a dialogical nature, and it is bound up with public recognition for the ethnic, religious and national groups. Identities are revised, affirmed and developed. Honneth (1992) indicates that recognition requires a measure of “social acceptance for a person’s method of self-realization within the horizon of cultural traditions of a given society” (p. 191).
Method
Expected Outcomes
References
Andersson, P. & Fejes, A. (2005). Recognition of prior learning as a technique for fabricating the adult learner: a genealogical analysis on Swedish adult education policy. Journal of Education Policy, 20(5), 595–613. Andersson, P. & Fejes, A. (2010). Mobility of knowledge as a recognition challenge: experiences from Sweden. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 29(2), 201–218. Andersson, P. and Osman, A. (2008). Recognition of prior learning as a practice for differential inclusion and exclusion of immigrants in Sweden. Adult Education Quarterly, 20 (42), 42-60. Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101. Honneth, A. (1992). Integrity and disrespect: Principles of a conception of morality based on the theory of recognition. Political Theory, 20(2), 187-201. Lasonen, J., and Teräs, M. (2015). Challenges to recognizing foreign competence for employment in Finland: Avoiding immigrant economic stratification. In E.L. Brown, P.C. Gorski and G. Lazaridis (Eds) Intersection of Poverty, Class and Schooling: Creating Global Economic Opportunity and Class Equity (129-145). Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing Inc. Sandberg, F. (2010). Recognising health care assistants’ prior learning through a caring ideology. Vocations and Learning: Studies in Vocational and Professional Education, 3(2), 99–115. Sandberg, F. & Kubiak, C. (2013). Recognition of prior learning, selfrealisation and identity within Axel Honneth’s theory of recognition. Studies in Continuing Education, 35(3), 351–365. Taylor, C. (1994.) The politics of recognition. In A. Gutmann (Ed.), Multiculturalism and the politics of recognition, (pp.25-76). Princeton, NJ. Princeton University Press.
Programme by Networks, ECER 2021
00. Central Events (Keynotes, EERA-Panel, EERJ Round Table, Invited Sessions)
Network 1. Continuing Professional Development: Learning for Individuals, Leaders, and Organisations
Network 2. Vocational Education and Training (VETNET)
Network 3. Curriculum Innovation
Network 4. Inclusive Education
Network 5. Children and Youth at Risk and Urban Education
Network 6. Open Learning: Media, Environments and Cultures
Network 7. Social Justice and Intercultural Education
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Network 14. Communities, Families and Schooling in Educational Research
Network 15. Research Partnerships in Education
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Network 17. Histories of Education
Network 18. Research in Sport Pedagogy
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Network 20. Research in Innovative Intercultural Learning Environments
Network 22. Research in Higher Education
Network 23. Policy Studies and Politics of Education
Network 24. Mathematics Education Research
Network 25. Research on Children's Rights in Education
Network 26. Educational Leadership
Network 27. Didactics – Learning and Teaching
Network 28. Sociologies of Education
Network 29. Reserach on Arts Education
Network 30. Research on Environmental und Sustainability Education
Network 31. Research on Language and Education (LEd)
Network 32. Organizational Education
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