Nägele, Christof; Stalder, Barbara E.; Weich, Miriam (eds.) (2021). Pathways in Vocational Education and Training and Lifelong Learning. Proceedings of the 4th Crossing Boundaries Conference in Vocational Education and Training, Muttenz and Bern online, 8.-9. April. Muttenz/Bern: European Research Network on Vocational Education and Training, VETNET, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland and Bern University of Teacher Education.

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The special focus of the 4th International VET Conference Crossing Boundaries held 8 to 9 April 2021, online, Muttenz and Bern, Switzerland is on 'pathways in vocational education and training and lifelong learning'. Keynote speeches: How Roche leverages the momentum of apprenticeship training as a major opportunity to develop a flexible workforce with an agile mindset: future-oriented critical skills and a natural understanding of the importance of lifelong learning and reskilling / Serge Corpataux; Personal curriculum: worklife learning pathways and VET / Stephen Billett.

Papers were presented with respect to three reference levels, around boundaries defining and shaping the field of VET. The three levels are interlinked and influenced by conceptual ideas, terms, and constructs. How are these concepts and theories shaped, what are their boundaries, in which context are they valid, what are the underlying assumptions, what developments are evident, and how do they reflect the requirements of the present time? Both formal and informal learning occurs at the level of skills formation systems, for example, the concept of 'collective and school-based VET systems', at the level of the institutions, for example, the concepts 'competence-based education' and 'school-to-work transition', and on the level of practices, for example, 'problem-based learning' and 'technology-enhanced learning'. Reference Level 1 - Systems: socio-culturally different VET systems have evolved along often nationally imposed conceptual lines. The comparison of different VET and LLL systems and their governance are of theoretical and practical importance in the context of economic development and international co-operation. Cross-national comparisons allow identifying strengths and needs of improvement and the recognition of gaps. In comparing the current state and the necessary, respectively possible developments, questions arise, on how VET systems control and regulate access to initial and higher vocational education and lifelong learning, how they contribute to sustainable and meaningful work careers, or how they foster social inclusion. Reference Level 2 - Institution and agency: the different VET systems are defined by the interactions of the involved institutions, stakeholders and participating individuals. These are not only an expression of professionalisation; they also indicate the systems' boundaries and interfaces. These inter-institutional spaces of open or closed discourses depend on the regional and national culture and the political mission statements of the collaborating partners. Questions linked to institutions and agency refer to institutional rules that have been established, patterns of interaction and co-operation between educational and labour institutions, and measures that are needed to increase participation in VET, VET pathways, and lifelong learning. Reference Level 3 - Practice and actors: in the institutions or systems of rules, practices have been established to cope with the central questions of teaching, training, learning, and competence development. Practices can help tackle boundaries of qualification, learning pathways, and work careers. Questions arising are for example on how to improve teacher training and students' learning and collaboration; to ensure the aim of 'Bildung' in VET didactics and the culture of interaction; to interrelate different formal and informal practices; and to empower the learner, teacher or trainer to cross institutional boundaries and actively shape her or his career.

Item Type:	Book (Edited Volume)
PHBern Contributor:	Stalder, B. E., Weich, Miriam
Publisher:	European Research Network on Vocational Education and Training, VETNET, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland and Bern University of Teacher Education
Language:	English
Submitter:	Jessica Brunner
Date Deposited:	20 Apr 2023 14:28
Last Modified:	20 Apr 2023 14:28
URI:	https://phrepo.phbern.ch/id/eprint/6947