Vocationalism and Schooling: the British and Swedish experiences compared
Title:
Vocationalism and Schooling: the British and Swedish experiences compared
Author:
Hickox, Mike Lyon, E. Stina
Appeared in:
British journal of sociology of education
Paging:
Volume 19 (1998) nr. 1 pages 25-37
Year:
1998-03
Contents:
In this article we contrast the different sociological factors underpinning the development of post-war systems of vocational education in Britain and Sweden. We argue that in Sweden vocationalism formed one part of the ideological and economic package which went to make up the post-war Swedish corporatist 'class compromise'. In Britain, however, vocational education took a different form and was subordinated to a tradition of 'gentlemanly' capitalism and a neo-liberal economic order, both of which combined to give it a marginal status within the education system. We offer an analysis of the two systems at both the economic and ideological levels, arguing that while in Sweden vocational education was aimed at creating a 'new citizen' as well as a skills base for the economy, both these motives were absent in post-1945 Britain. Whereas in Britain conservative academic opposition to vocationalism remained entrenched, in Sweden conservative educational interests became marginalised in the post-war era. Finally, we suggest that there is some evidence to indicate that, exposed to common pressures from an increasingly globalised world economy, the attitudes of the two countries towards vocational education are now showing some signs of converging.
Journal description