T HE INFLUENCE OF A PPRENTICESHIP S YSTEMS ON PROFESSIONALIZATION. Findings of a qualitative comparative study of the VET in England and Germany. Erika E. Gericke, M.A. Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, Germany

C ONTENT 1. Changes of the Working World and its Effects on European VET Systems 2. Research Questions 3. Methodology and Qualitative Research Design 4. Findings 1. Three Patterns of biographical orientations towards occupation 2. The Role of the English and German VET System 5. Conclusion and Discussion 2

1. C HANGES OF THE W ORKING W ORLD AND ITS E FFECTS ON E UROPEAN VET P OLICY Macro-societal change: Increased individualization Increased globalisation European VET policy: Bruge/Copenhagen process In Germany discussion and reform of the occupation principle (Berufsprinzip) 3

2. R ESEARCH Q UESTIONS Which biographical orientations towards occupation do English and German car mechatronics develop? How do a fragmented (i.e. England) VET system and a holistic (i.e. Germany) VET system influence the development of the biographical orientations towards occupation ? Term biographical orientations towards occupation A concept which captures the process character A concept which links both levels: structure and action 4

3. M ETHODOLOGY AND Q UALITATIVE R ESEARCH D ESIGN (I) Grounded Theory methodology (cf. Strauss/ Corbin 1990) Survey instrument: autobiographic-narrative interview (cf. Schütze 1981, 1983) Analysis instruments: Narrative analyses (cf. Schütze 1983) for 1 st question Grounded theory (cf. Strauss/ Corbin 1990) for 2 nd research question 5

3. M ETHODOLOGY AND Q UALITATIVE R ESEARCH D ESIGN (II) Sample in general: Automobile industry Car mechatronic Sample in specific: Informant have been working in their occupation for at least 3 years German informants have completed their apprenticeship successfully Informants aged between 30 and 67 years old 6

4. F INDINGS 4.1 T HREE P ATTERNS Question: Which biographical orientations towards occupation do English and German car mechatronics develop? Reconstruction of three patterns of biographical orientations towards occupation, valid for both English and German car mechatronics: strategic use of VET institutions drawing border regarding the work field passionate handling 7

4. F INDINGS 4.2 I NFLUENCE OF THE NATIONAL VET S YSTEM (I) Question: How do a fragmented (i.e. England) VET system and a holistic (i.e. Germany) VET system influence the development of the biographical orientations towards occupation? Reconstruction of the subjective perception of the VET system having certain institutional conditions have to exist in order to choose the right occupation thus completing the apprenticeship successfully & having a smooth transition to the labour market. 8

4. F INDINGS 4.2 I NFLUENCE OF THE NATIONAL VET S YSTEM (II) These institutional conditions which are given in the German but surprisingly not in the English context are: family addressing/ discussing the issue of choosing an occupation school curriculum which includes the issue of vocational training by providing information about occupations or organizing a trip to the information centre and by providing the opportunity to get to know occupations hands- on via work-placements up-to-date teachers, trainers and college equipment as well as a balanced theoretical and practical input. 9

4. F INDINGS 4.2 I NFLUENCE OF THE NATIONAL VET S YSTEM (III) Transition school-VET Direct entry & family-related gatekeeper Period of unemployment & choosing occupation arbitrarily Subjective Perception of the VET Dual System, good Different types of VET, improvable Subjective Perception of the national technical culture Automobile as a quasi-organism; workshop industry: all-rounder Automobile as a quasi-organism; workshop industry: single units 10

5. C ONCLUSION AND D ISCUSSION English and German car mechatronics follow one of the three reconstructed patterns of biographical orientations towards occupation In spite of the different national institutional conditions. The difference is that it takes the English car mechatronics longer and with personal costs to arrive at one of the three patterns. The VET system influences the development process of biographical orientations toward occupation. However, the concern of some German scientists that replacing broad vocational qualifications with partial qualifications will hinder the development of a holistic occupational self-conception has been refuted with this study. 11

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