Lifelong learning policies for vulnerable young adults in post-recession Scotland. Issue 2 (17th February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Valiente, Oscar; Lowden, Kevin; Capsada-Munsech, Queralt
• Is Part Of: British journal of sociology of education. Volume 41:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 218
• Page End: 233
• Publication Date: 2020-02-17
• Subjects: Education policy -- financial crisis -- lifelong learning -- political economy -- vocational education -- youth employment; Educational sociology -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 306.43
• DOI: 10.1080/01425692.2019.1685937
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0142-5692

Abstract

Abstract: This article shows how the Scottish Government's (SG) political management of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) has reinforced the economic goals of lifelong learning (LLL) under the skills for work agenda. Youth unemployment has been prioritized as the main social problem to be addressed, and most of the limited public resources for LLL have been targeted towards youth at risk of unemployment at the expense of the rest of the adult population. The article adopts a Cultural Political Economy perspective to examine LLL policy discourses contained in 12 policy documents published by the SG during the period between the Scottish National Party's arrival in power and the Independence Referendum (2007–2014). The analysis draws attention to the fact that the GFC has been used by the SG to legitimize selective cuts to the further education sector as well as a stronger labour market orientation within LLL provision.