A decade post PhD

 When I was about to complete the assessments towards finishing my apprenticeship almost 50 years ago, the Singaporean pastry chef who had patiently trained me, reminded me that 良藥苦口 - Liángyào kǔkǒu – Good medicine tastes bitter.

Just over 10 years ago, I submitted my PhD thesis and his proverb came up one morning as I cycled to work, reminding me that completing the PhD, as with completing my trade apprenticeship, was but the start of more work requiring perseverance and more learning.

 As summarised in a blog 10years ago, the attributes attained during apprenticeship, served me well in completing the thesis. It was not so much the skills gained through apprenticeship but the knowledge that persistence, deliberate practice, and recognition of the need to be organised, precise and dedicated, which are important. Hence, the dispositional traits of craftsmanship transfer into scholarship.

Much has been written about the Asian education system and how it promotes rote learning, conformity and dampens creativity. I for one, rebelled against the continual need during exams, to regurgitate information copied from the chalk board. In hindsight, leaving school post GCE O levels, set me up for attaining an interesting trade; then teaching and eventually becoming a scholar. All the learning, not so much of ‘knowledge’ or content, but of my capabilities to persevere and step up when required, set me up for the rigours of completing a PhD as a Griffith University ‘part-time’ student.

I have always described the process and completion of a PhD as an apprenticeship in becoming a researcher. In particular to learn and hone the skills to undertake empathetic and pertinent study of a specialised topic, and then to disseminate the findings through scholarly and academic writing.

My PhD supervisor, Professor Stephen Billett, travelled a similar path and was and still supportive of my journey from interested/motivated student, to a colleague researching VET. Through the decade post-PhD, he has always provided ongoing support as a sounding board for ideas and been a ‘critical friend’. Entry into the VET research community has been greatly eased by his collegiality and ongoing support.

Since completion of the PhD, there have been also, the completion of several projects funded through Ako Aotearoa; the publication of numerous journal articles, two monographs and an edited book (in press). I co-edit the AVETRA supported International Journal for Training Research and am on the editorial board for the Journal of Vocational Education and Training.

The decade has been productive from a scholarly point of view. My plans are to continue learning and writing, perhaps for another decade. The Aotearoa NZ VET sector is entering an interesting phase as most VET provision is consolidated under Te Pūkenga. This aspect will create many challenges and opportunities for scholarly work.