Constituting an apprenticeship curriculum. Issue 4 (4th July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fjellström, Magnus; Kristmansson, Per
• Is Part Of: Journal of curriculum studies. Volume 51:Issue 4(2019)
• Page Start: 567
• Page End: 581
• Publication Date: 2019-07-04
• Subjects: Upper secondary school -- post-secondary apprenticeship -- curriculum development -- workplace learning; Education -- Curricula -- Periodicals; 375.001
• DOI: 10.1080/00220272.2019.1616115
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-0272

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Apprenticeships are required for many trades and can take different forms. In Sweden, one form can be viewed as a pathway where students complete a three-year-long vocational education in upper secondary school followed by a post-secondary apprenticeship in a particular trade. Another takes the form of vocational training within the framework of upper secondary school through an apprenticeship. This study analyses how a more clearly defined apprenticeship curriculum can provide sufficient knowledge to identify and understand learning outcomes in apprenticeships. A theoretical framework of an apprenticeship curriculum is used in the analytical work. The findings show that educational goals are often overlooked during apprenticeships, and thus a deliberative education is overridden by deliberative learning that stems from and is closely connected to the individual's own perception of what to learn. By constituting an apprenticeship curriculum, this article contributes to an enhanced understanding of how to analyse vocational learning, and thus adds important elements to the research field.