The Participation of Vocational Subject Teachers in Career Guidance

About the Workshop

This seminar will present an overview of the draft findings of my PhD research project. The research was developed with an awareness that more could be discovered about ways in which subject teachers assist their pupils with university and graduate-careers related advice (HEIAG). The study set out to explore the participation of vocational subject teachers (VSTs) of level 3 courses such as BTECs as university advisers to their pupils. Furthermore, the research took place in three schools serving neighbourhoods which, according to the POLAR measure, had low participation in HE (LPNs), thus enabling the research findings to be explored from the perspective of social justice.

Twenty seven volunteer teacher and pupil participants took part in the research, which mobilised Q Methodology. In this seminar, I will share details of specific ways VSTs were identified as assisting pupils with university advice and guidance. I will also examine the motivation of the VSTs relating to university advising, and explore barriers which challenge them in their advising activities. The aim will be to encourage attendees at the seminar to consider and discuss the various implications of the study for policy and practice.

About the presenter

Alison Etches, PhD Researcher, University of Wolverhampton.

Alison’s background was a management accountant who became a teacher of Business almost twenty years ago. In this time, she has taught in secondary, FE and HE settings. She has taught in several schools in LPNs, often in ex-mining and ex-manufacturing neighbourhoods. She was a Leader of Sixth Form for four years. Her enthusiasm for industry, commerce and education cultivates a sustained and genuine interest in the activities of educators in the field of Careers and Higher Education Information Advice and Guidance (C/HEIAG). Alison is currently in the final phase of a part time PhD with the University of Wolverhampton and works part-time for The Open University.

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