Development of a reflective learning method to support health and safety of adolescents with learning difficulties enrolled in a pre-work practicum

Abstract

The challenges of youth employment include providing appropriate job training and safe working conditions for women and men. Adolescents enrolled in the Work-oriented Training Path (WOTP) complete a practicum as part of their vocational preparation, notwithstanding learning difficulties or disabilities. This research-action study among this subpopulation used a method called the self-reflection interview (SRI). Developed in the field of ergonomics, it combines interviews and worksite observations to establish discussion prompts. This method is based on the principles of situated learning. The objective is to analyse the process of conducting SRIs with WOTP’s students in order to suggest adaptations for this specific population considering their challenges. SRIs were used to address gender stereotypes and occupational health and safety (OHS) risks, two learning targets. The study found that these dimensions are accurately addressed with this method. The findings confirm that the prompts and the method must be adapted to the population.

Practitioner summary: The challenges of youth employment require appropriate job training and safe working conditions for women and men. The study used a reflective method called the self-reflection interview as a learning resource, based on situated learning. The study found that OHS and gender differentiation are accurately addressed with this method.

Abbreviations: SRI: selfreflection interview; WOTP: Work-oriented Training Path; OHS: occupational health and safety.

Keywords:

• Reflexive learning methods
• differentiated instruction
• gender
• occupational health and safety
• activity-centered ergonomics
• semiskilled trades

Acknowledgements

The author want to thanks Jena Webb for revision and insightful suggestions. This work was supported by a Career Award (Junior 1) Fonds de Recherche du Québec (FRQ) – Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et sécurité du travail (IRSST).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This project was funded by the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé and l’Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et sécurité du travail.