Last week, the Journal of Vocational Education and Training (JVET) held their bi-annual conference on-line due to Covid. The timing was slightly difficult for me as the presentations occurred well past my bedtime. However, the presentations are now online :)
The slides from four keynotes/presentations are now available - here for the keynotes and here for the editors' presentation . My summaries are below:
1) Professor Joy Papier who is Director or the University of the Western Cape, presents on "From policy symbolism to evidence-based policy making - VET research on the rise in the South.
Shared her story as a way to explain the shifts in VET research focus in South Africa. As a 'coloured' person, her family's access to educational opportunites were restricted but expanded as aparteid 'ended'. Her inspiration draws from the work of Freire who she was able to meet when in the US of A . Post aparthied policies relied on international expers, overseas visits and models, policy borrowing and symbolism. Policy and research/practice do not always match, leading to tensions and culture clashes. Overviewed the evolution of TVET research in South Africa and its current status. A new generation of TVET practitioners are now contributing as scholars, and this bodes well for the future. The Journal of Vocational, Adult and Continuing Education and Training (JOVACET) is the research space and TVET CoP.
2) Professor Leon TIkly from the University of Bristol presents "Transforming TVET for sustainable futures in Africa: Challenges for theory, policy and practice?
This presentation summarised sustainable development in a Western context; thre ir/relevance of these concepts to Africa in its post-colonial journey; TVET and the post-colonial condition; and recommendations for TVET sustainable futures.
3) Professor Hugh Lauder from the University of Bath presents on "The end of neo-liberalism and the future of VET"
Began by summarising the 21st century challenges of climate change, pandemic, 4th industrial revolution and radical forms of inequality. Summarised the premises of neo-liberalism and how education has been poorly served by it - especially market reforms and human capital theory. Discussed the concepts of meritocracy, the effects of authoritarinism and gender, and the equation of values with market values. The four challenges have caused a shift in defining what are 'good jobs'? not enough to just rely on the market but expand to include societal contribution. Important to understand the future of work and its impact on jobs; universal basic income (UBI) may be one solution; and industry needs to create good quality jobs. TVET needs to provide clear 'ladders' or pathways for people as they move through their life course; and lifelong learning must be supported. Some concepts discussed in the book "The death of human capital"
4) A panel of the editors - Professor Leesa Wheelahan, Professor Ann-Marie Bathmaker and Professor Kevin Orr the reflect on 'Looking backward, moving forward'.
The editors presented a summary of JVET's evolution over 73 years from it's origins as the 'Vocational Aspect of Education' in 1948 to the present. Pf note are the present themes (some which are long-lived). They include the '(low)' status of VET; the call on VET to address social and economic challenges; and debates on competency-based VET. There are gaps, especially in studying the 'informal' employment and training sectors; and patchy international coverage. Going forward, JVET seeks to make contributions towards addressing social justice and in/equalities (as prefaced in the keynotes).
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