Capitals and commitment: the case of a local learning and employment network

Abstract

This article draws on research undertaken with a Local Learning and Employment Network (LLEN) in the state of Victoria, Australia. LLEN are networks that were implemented by the state government in 2001 to undertake community capacity building through which the outcomes of young people aged 15–19 in education, training and employment would be enhanced. In 2008, in the context of an enhanced federal commitment to social inclusion through ‘joining-up’, the Victorian experience provides insights on the implications of such policy initiatives. Drawing on Bourdieu's discussion of the forms of capital and Granovetter's notion of the strength of weak ties, I argue that stores of economic, cultural and social capital as outlined by Bourdieu were necessary, but insufficient, for LLEN to achieve the objectives with which they were charged given the failure of government to follow through on the implications of its policies. I argue for a commitment on the part of all stakeholders to realise the potential of ‘joining-up’.

Keywords:

• networks
• post-compulsory education
• transition
• whole-of-government
• whole-of-community
• government collaboration
• trust

Acknowledgements

The paper draws on research undertaken at Deakin University, Victoria, Australia and funded by an Australian Research Council Linkage Project grant. That support is gratefully acknowledged. I would also like to thank my reviewers for their constructive comments.

Notes

1. In Victoria the school leaving age is currently 16.

2. During the course of this research the Victorian Department of Education has change its name a number of times. The current title is the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

3. I undertake a fuller overview of Geddes’ findings for the Australian context in Kamp (2003).