Drivers of learning for the low skilled

Abstract

The drivers of learning for mid-career workers with few initial qualifications from the Czech Republic, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Italy and Poland are examined. The focus in this article is upon the learning pathways and experience of the low-qualified drawn from empirical research which gathered and analysed the strategic career and learning biographies of 105 low-skilled individuals, mainly aged between 25 and 40, in the 7 countries, using semi-structured narrative interviews. The five drivers for learning evident in the interviews were enhancing self-efficacy; self-improvement; labour market-orientated learning; significant others motivating learning; and work-related practical learning. The interviewees were divided between those who wanted tangible and immediate learning outcomes and those who saw learning primarily as a means of self-improvement. Some interviewees with negative experiences of initial education were motivated to re-engage by a positive experience with continuing education, encouragement of significant others or through an experience of mastery of challenges at work which led to an increase in their self-efficacy. For the majority of interviewees, practical learning was particularly appreciated, whether undertaken to secure or enhance their current labour market position or undertaken to increase their self-efficacy.

Keywords:

• Low skilled
• career narratives
• learning biographies
• career development
• identity development

Notes on contributors

Alan Brown is a professorial fellow at the Institute for Employment Research, University of Warwick. His research interests include career development and changing work-related identities; career adaptability; workplace learning; and computer-supported collaborative identity transformation.

Jenny Bimrose is a professor at the Institute for Employment Research, University of Warwick. Her research interests include supporting career guidance professionals in their practice, particularly with their use of LMI and ICT; women's career development; career adaptability and career decision making styles; and professional identity transformation in European Public Employment Services.