Phil Hodkinson

First Published in 1996. The transition from school to work has always been a crucial time in the lives of young people. How and when this transition is made can have a major impact upon the sense of identity they develop, the importance they feel they have in the eyes of others, the kind of person they want to be and their view of the world in general. This book is about the nature of that transition for one small group of young people, making the journey in the new policy environment of post-Thatcherite Britain.

Across the western world, there is a growing awareness of the importance of workplace learning, seen at the level of national and international policy, as well as in the developing practices of employers, training providers and Trades Unions. Authoritative, accessible, and appealing, it presents key findings on work-based learning, bringing together conclusions and investigating a variety of workplace contexts to show how such learning can be improved. An extensive practical treatment, brought to life with illustrations from both the public and private sectors, this book has a unique combination of breadth of coverage and depth of understanding.Grounded in rich and detailed empirical studies, this volume challenges conventional thinking. An important new addition to the Improving Learning series, it focuses on guidelines for improving learning by marrying the very best theory and practice to provide an accessible and authoritative guide to workplace learning. Practitioners, policy makers, students and academics with an interest in learning at work will find this an invaluable addition to their bookshelves.

Across the western world, there is a growing awareness of the importance of workplace learning, seen at the level of national and international policy, as well as in the developing practices of employers, training providers and Trades Unions. Authoritative, accessible, and appealing, it presents key findings on work-based learning, bringing together conclusions and investigating a variety of workplace contexts to show how such learning can be improved. An extensive practical treatment, brought to life with illustrations from both the public and private sectors, this book has a unique combination of breadth of coverage and depth of understanding.Grounded in rich and detailed empirical studies, this volume challenges conventional thinking. An important new addition to the Improving Learning series, it focuses on guidelines for improving learning by marrying the very best theory and practice to provide an accessible and authoritative guide to workplace learning. Practitioners, policy makers, students and academics with an interest in learning at work will find this an invaluable addition to their bookshelves.

First Published in 1996. The transition from school to work has always been a crucial time in the lives of young people. How and when this transition is made can have a major impact upon the sense of identity they develop, the importance they feel they have in the eyes of others, the kind of person they want to be and their view of the world in general. This book is about the nature of that transition for one small group of young people, making the journey in the new policy environment of post-Thatcherite Britain.

Throughout the world, teacher education is once more in the spotlight. This book focuses on recent trends and experiences in England and Wales, where external pressures have caused tension between the technician model of teacher education, in which teachers learn primarily on the job alongside colleagues, and traditional forms of teacher education based in higher education institutions. This tension superficially replicates an old dichotomy between practice and theory. The contributors to this volume reflect on ideas and attempts to integrate theory and practice. Key questions and themes recur: the balance and relationship between work done in school on the job and work away from the workplace, such as in universities; teacher education as a partnership activity; and the need to critically examine the institutional, cultural, and historical context in which they work.

Throughout the world, teacher education is once more in the spotlight. This book focuses on recent trends and experiences in England and Wales, where external pressures have caused tension between the technician model of teacher education, in which teachers learn primarily on the job alongside colleagues, and traditional forms of teacher education based in higher education institutions. This tension superficially replicates an old dichotomy between practice and theory. The contributors to this volume reflect on ideas and attempts to integrate theory and practice. Key questions and themes recur: the balance and relationship between work done in school on the job and work away from the workplace, such as in universities; teacher education as a partnership activity; and the need to critically examine the institutional, cultural, and historical context in which they work.

This book is an edited collection addressing competence and professionalism in Vocational Education and Training. Its prime focus is the caring professions of teaching, youth work, social work and community care. Contributors examine critically the design and operation of competence-based approaches in the contemporary British context. They explore the advantages and limitations of the dominant National Council for Vocational Qualifications model, both at a theoretical level and through analysis of practical experience in the caring professions. The book argues that this model is located firmly within technically reational, managerial approaches and, despite good intentions and some useful ideas, is fundamentally flawed. The authors consider alternative approaches to competence, drawn from principles of professionalism, and conclude with some clear pointers to ways in which professional development in the caring professions should be advanced. Phil Hodkinson is Principal Lecturer in Education at the Crewe and Alsager Faculty of Manchester Metropolitan University.Mary Issis is a Senior Lecturer in Youth and Community Work at the Crewe and Alsager Faculty of Manchester Metropolitan University.