ERIC Number: EJ1021802
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0260-1370
EISSN: N/A
Plugging a Gap? Soft Skills Courses and Learning for Work
Weedon, Elisabet; Tett, Lyn
International Journal of Lifelong Education, v32 n6 p724-740 2013
Governments across Europe have been encouraged by the European Union (EU) to take measures to upskill their workforce to ensure growth and social inclusion. Low-skilled workers are particular targets and learning providers and employers are expected to provide learning opportunities for them. However, research shows that those with low skills often lack confidence and require support to engage in learning. This paper examines an European Structural Funds (ESF)-funded course aimed at developing soft skills in low-skilled employees through a course developed by a Scottish college. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with learners from two cohorts of the course to examine their experiences and gains from the course. Learners' accounts demonstrate benefits from the course but workplace culture impacted on the level of gains. The paper questions the ability of one-off courses to deliver the aims of policy and suggests more coordinated and sustained effort is required.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Adult Education, Communication Skills, Skill Development, Lifelong Learning, Education Work Relationship, Organizational Culture, Workplace Learning, Industrial Training, Educational Environment, Semi Structured Interviews, Student Characteristics, Case Studies, Job Training, Allied Health Personnel, Building Trades, Observation
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Adult Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom; United Kingdom (Scotland)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A