Blank slates or hidden treasure? Assessing and building on the experiential learning of migrant and refugee women in European countries

Clayton, P. (2005) Blank slates or hidden treasure? Assessing and building on the experiential learning of migrant and refugee women in European countries. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 24(3), pp. 227-242. (doi: 10.1080/02601370500134917)

Abstract

Commonly, the work situation of migrant and refugee women declines notably on arriving in the new country, irrespective of their existing qualifications and even after they have taken accepted qualifications. The primary objectives of this research were to test the hypothesis that women bring to their new countries skills and competences arising from their education, working life and experiential learning, in addition to those learnt in the process of adapting to a new way of life, such as communicative and intercultural competences; and to develop a typology which would facilitate access to appropriate education and training. This process also, crucially, involves vocational guidance and counselling to ensure that women develop goals which are both realistic and desirable to them. To this end an interview schedule was developed and delivered, after adaptations to local circumstances, to 120 women in four countries: Denmark, Germany, the Czech Republic and the UK. This paper presents the detailed findings only from the UK research. The main value of the data gathered is qualitative and the samples used were non-random, but certain patterns emerged which are described in this paper. It was concluded that education and training were usually necessary in the new country but that a much more considered approach needs to be taken to placement on courses. The paper concludes with recommendations for practice by institutions of further education and case studies to illuminate the findings. Four case studies are attached.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: women, Further Education, Migrant Refugee
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Clayton, Dr Pamela
• Authors: Clayton, P.
• Subjects: H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman; L Education > LC Special aspects of education > LC5201 Education extension. Adult education. Continuing education
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Education; College of Social Sciences > School of Education
• Journal Name: International Journal of Lifelong Education
• Publisher: Routledge
• ISSN: 0260-1370
• ISSN (Online): 1464-519X
• Copyright Holders: Copyright 2005 Taylor & Francis Group
• First Published: First published in International Journal of Lifelong Education 24(3):227-242
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher