Higher vocational education and social mobility: educational participation in Australia and England

Webb, S., Bathmaker, A.-M., Gale, T. , Hodge, S., Parker, S. and Rawolle, S. (2017) Higher vocational education and social mobility: educational participation in Australia and England. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 69(1), pp. 147-167. (doi: 10.1080/13636820.2016.1269359)

Abstract

This article explores the issue of social mobility in relation to the recent expansion of higher vocational education (HIVE) by non-university providers. The post-school vocational education sector has become the object of policies to widen access to higher education to ensure greater social mobility and provide second chance education to those who do not complete initial education in Anglophone countries. Drawing on typologies of vocational education and training systems, the article generates understanding of the expansion of HIVE within two Anglophone countries (Australia and England). The article considers the implications for widening opportunities to higher education for non-traditional students from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds in these two contexts. Descriptive analysis of current national data on participation reveals surprising differences between countries. The article concludes by discussing the extent to which the higher education offerings in vocational institutions can contribute to social mobility within these two countries.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Gale, Professor Trevor and Parker, Stephen
• Authors: Webb, S., Bathmaker, A.-M., Gale, T., Hodge, S., Parker, S., and Rawolle, S.
• Subjects: H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General); L Education > L Education (General); L Education > LB Theory and practice of education; L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Education
• Journal Name: Journal of Vocational Education and Training
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• ISSN: 1363-6820
• ISSN (Online): 1747-5090
• Published Online: 23 March 2017
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2017 The Vocational Aspect of Education Ltd
• First Published: First published in Journal of Vocational Education and Training 69(1):147-167
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher