Finnish vocational education and training experts’ reflections on multiculturalism in the aftermath of a major reform

ABSTRACT

In the present study we examine how Finnish vocational education and training (VET) experts reflect on multiculturalism in the aftermath of a major reform. The research material consists of interviews with educational policy experts in Finnish VET, namely: principals, government officials and lobbyists (N = 11). A qualitative thematic analysis reveals the following three latent themes through which experts reflect on multiculturalism: 1) multiculturalism as individualisation; 2) multiculturalism as competition; and 3) multiculturalism as shared responsibility. The results show that Finnish VET experts see multiculturalism as a critical challenge for education and working life. On the other hand, it is still unclear whether the 2018 VET reform will be able to resolve the different dilemmas and contradictions that the experts connect with multiculturalism. Experts understand multiculturalism narrowly as synonymous with immigration and as something that happens in encounters with Finns, even though it is not shared by Finns themselves. While most of the experts argue that personalisation and working life are particularly important for immigrants and students with an immigrant background, others are worried about the future of broader social competences in Finnish VET.

KEYWORDS:

• Individualisation
• immigration
• multiculturalism
• racism
• vocational education and training

Disclosure statement

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

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Notes

1. Agriculture and Forestry 2) Business, Administration and Law 3) Education 4) Health and Welfare 5) Humanities and Arts 6) Information and Communication Technologies 7) Natural Sciences 8) Service Industries 9) Social Sciences 10) Technology

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Emil Aaltonen Foundation.