Amartya Sen's capability approach and the brokering of learning provision for young adults

This paper argues that Amartya Senââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s (Development as freedom, New York: Random House, 1999) concept of ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"capabilitiesââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ provides a useful framework for interpreting the brokering of learning provisions that emerged as a key feature of reforms to education and training in Queensland (Australia) for young people. Senââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s capability approach is presented as a way of understanding the place of vocational learning in capability deprivation and enhancement. Methodologically, this account comes from a case study of the reformsââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ birthing and trial phases (2000ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“2006) (Harreveld and Singh 2007, Queenslandââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s education and training reforms for the future: the journey so far in senior phase learning. Brisbane, Qld: Department of Education, Training and the Arts). Evidence about the brokering of learning provision for young people comes from Queenslandââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s youth support coordinators, community mentoring scheme, flexible learning services and a work readiness program.