Shaping the future worker

Jayne Bye, Dennis E. Mortimer, Gordon Stewart

    Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference PaperConference Paper

    Abstract

    ![CDATA[The vocationalisation of Australian post-compulsory schooling, usually linked to the commissioning and release of the Finn (1991) and Mayer (1992) reports, has been the focus of considerable debate. In particular, it is possible to trace in the literature a concern with the programmatic ambitions of post-compulsory education policy seen in terms of its infiltration by economic rationalist and corporate managerialist ideals, resulting in a system dedicated to serving the interests of industry (Meredyth, 2002). That this has led to a post-compulsory education system narrowly focused on employability and the production of the flexible citizen-worker (Marginson, 1997) at the exclusion of other possible visions, has been one of the central and compelling indictments generated by the discussion. This paper takes up these concerns by using Foucault’s concept of governmentality (1991) to explore the workings of an educational site in Sydney. The College, which falls under the broadly interpreted classification of ‘senior college’, represented at its inception over ten years ago, a unique formula. of general education, vocational training and industry placement designed to focus young people on their career aspirations. It reports on perceptions of the workplace and expectations of a future working life gained by ten young people at the College and looks at the ways their conduct is being shaped by their exposure to the practices of the College. It will be suggested that their stories do not (only) present an neat picture of the ability of the senior college model to carry out its mission of turning out responsibilised young adults with clear visions of their future working lives. Rather, the stories reveal the contingency of such outcomes as well as the sometimes contested nature of responses to the rationalised practices (Rose, 1999) apparent in such sites. In approaching the stories that young people tell from Foucault's perspective on government, it may be possible to gain new insights into the ways governmental ends, such as those enacted through vocationalisation of post-compulsory schooling, are achieved or indeed resisted.]]
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationTeaching, Learning and Research in Institutions and Regions: Proceedings of the 5th Annual Conference of the Pacific Employment Relations Association: PERA 2005
    PublisherPacific Employment Relations Association
    Number of pages13
    ISBN (Print)0975013165
    Publication statusPublished - 2005
    EventPacific Employment Relations Association. Conference -
    Duration: 15 Nov 2010 → …

    Conference

    ConferencePacific Employment Relations Association. Conference
    Period15/11/10 → …

    Keywords

    • post-compulsory education
    • vocational education
    • education, secondary
    • Australia
    • Foucault, Michel, 1926-1984

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