Technical and Vocational Education and Training Research Cluster

Our Technical, Vocational Education and Training Research Cluster (TVET) is a collaborative group of inquiring professionals. We carry out research studies within the broad fields of professional, continuing, technical and vocational education. We seek to build research capacity among educators in the University’s post-14 and college partnership. We welcome collaboration with others researching post-compulsory education and related fields in colleges and other work-related settings.

Our aims

The aim of the cluster is to develop and deepen understanding of policy, practice and context in professional, adult, technical and vocational education, both in the UK and internationally. Our interests centre on vocational education and such institutions as Further Education Colleges but extend to other educational settings, including schools and workplaces, and to other areas and phases of education provided in these settings. We seek to develop an understanding of the educational practice, as well as the institutions, policies and industrial organisations that shape these practices.

Research Cluster Lead

Square image of staff member Bill Esmond
Professor Bill Esmond

Bill Esmond is Associate Professor, Education & Employment. His research is located at the intersection of workplace learning, vocational and higher education. His analysis of systems an...

Research Cluster Team

  • Aaron Bradbury: A comparison of pedagogical features of a traditional taught degree course and an apprenticeship degree course
  • Matthew Bromley: Can gamification contribute to the motivational processes of learning in Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)?
  • Jade Murden: How alternative is alternative provision? A study exploring the underpinning educational philosophies and external factors which influence alternative provision
  • Dan Williams: Generic, transferable skills in the Education and Training Sector
  • Bill Jones: CEO and Principal of Leeds City College
  • Louise Misselke, Lorraine Barker and Sue Lambeth: Guernsey College

Our research

Case studies of routes leading to higher education progression across academic and technical pathways (Gatsby)

Policies to create a new pathway under the heading of ‘higher technical education’ have included requirements for transfer between this and established routes through supporting 'bridging’ provision.

Four linked case studies of existing transitional provisions examined the ways these might not only support access to higher education, but also enable transfer to a different track. The study illustrated the way that ‘bridging’ provision in its current form can be shaped by, or even strengthen an implicit binary divide.

Join us

We supervise doctoral students researching Technical and Vocational Education and Training and are interested in receiving applications for students in this area or for our self-funded options aligned to the research strengths of our staff.

Contact Professor Bill Esmond for further information.

Publications

2020

2019

2018

 2017

  • Atkins, L. and Tummons, J. (2017b) Professionalism in Vocational Education: International Perspectives Research in Post-compulsory education 22(3), 355–369. https://doi.org/10.1080/13596748.2017.1358517 
  • Atkins, L. (2017a) The Odyssey: School to Work Transitions, Serendipity and Position in the Field British Journal of Sociology of Education 38(5), 641–655. https://doi.org/10.1080/01425692.2015.1131146 
  • Avis, J., Mirchandani, K. and Warmington, P., (2017) Editorial, Journal of Vocational Education & Training, Special Issue, Vocational Education and training and Race/Ethnicity 69(3) 287-291 https://doi.org/10.1080/13636820.2017.1304613
  • Avis, J., Orr, K. and Warmington, P., (2017) Race and Vocational Education and Training in England, Journal of Vocational Education & Training, 69(3) 292-310  https://doi.org/10.1080/13636820.2017.1289551
  • Avis, J. (2017) Crossing Boundaries: VET, the Labour Market and Social Justice. In Kaiser, F., Krugmann, S. (Eds) Social dimensions and participation in Vocational Education, University of Rostock, Rostock 16-24.
  • Avis, J. and Atkins, L. (2017c). Youth Transitions, VET and the ‘making’ of class: changing theorisations for changing times? Research in Post-compulsory Education 22, 2 pp165-185. https://doi.org/10.1080/13596748.2017.1314678
  • Esmond, B. and H. Wood. (2017). More morphostasis than morphogenesis? The ‘dual professionalism’ of English Further Education workshop tutors. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 69 (2),229-245. https://doi.org/10.1080/13636820.2017.1309568 

2016

  • Atkins, L. (2016b). Dis (en) abled: Legitimating Discriminatory Practice in the name of Inclusion? British Journal of Special Education 43(1), 6–21. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8578.12123
  • Avis, J. and Orr, K. (2016). HE in FE: Vocationalism, Class and Social Justice, Research in Post-compulsory Education, 21(1-2), 49–65 https://doi.org/10.1080/13596748.2015.1125666
  • Hodge, S., Atkins, L. and Simons, M (2016a). Towards an epistemically neutral curriculum model for vocational education: from competencies to threshold concepts and practices International Journal of Training Research 14, 3, 230–243. https://doi.org/10.1080/14480220.2016.1256895

2015

  • Atkins, L., Esmond, B., & Suart,  R. (2019). The role of education  and training  in  the development  of technical elites:  Work experience  and vulnerability. In  B.  E.  Stalder  &C. Nägele (Eds.), Trends in vocational education and training research, Vol. II. Proceedings of the  European  Conference  on  Educational  Research  (ECER),  Vocational  Education  and Training Network (VETNET) (pp. 461–468). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3457494
  • Atkins, L. and Misselke, L. (2019). ‘Pride and Prospects: The impact of the implementation of a more socially just vocational curriculum at lower levels’ in Stalder, B. E. & Nägele, C. (Eds.) (2019). Trends in vocational education and training research, Vol. II. Proceedings of the European Conference on Educational Research (ECER), Vocational Education and Training Network (VETNET). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3358906 
  • Avis, J. (2019) Industrie 4.0: Implications for VET Across the Lifespan, in Stalder, B., Nägele, C. (Eds) Trends in Vocational Education and Training Research, Vol. II. Proceedings of the European Conference on Educational Research (ECER), Vocational Education and Training Network (VETNET), 45-49. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3371358 
  • Esmond, B .(2019). ‘Bridging’ the gap between VET and higher education: Permeability or perpetuation?In B. E. Stalder &C. Nägele (Eds.), Trends in vocational education and training research, Vol. II. Proceedings of the European Conference on Educational Research (ECER), Vocational Education and Training Network (VETNET) (pp. 454–460). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.345749 
  • Esmond, B. (2019). Higher/Degree Apprenticeships and the Diversification of Transitions in England. In Contemporary Apprenticeship Reforms and Reconfigurations, pp. 197-200. Proceedings of the 8th Innovative Apprenticeships (INAP) Conference, Konstanz, DE, 21-22 March. Zurich, CH: Lit Verlag.
  • Esmond, B. (2019). Apprenticeship teaching in England: new practices, roles and professional formation for educators. In Contemporary Apprenticeship Reforms and Reconfigurations, pp. 118-121. Proceedings of the 8th Innovative Apprenticeships (INAP) Conference, Konstanz, DE, 21-22 March. Zurich, CH: Lit Verlag.
  • Atkins, L. (2020, forthcoming) Researching Technical Vocational Education and Training: Qualitative Inquiry in Diverse Contexts in S. Delamont and M. Ward (Eds) Handbook of Qualitative Research in Education. Cheltenham: Elgar.
  • Atkins, L. (2019) Social Justice, and Education in J. Tummons (ed) PCET: Learning and teaching in the post-compulsory sector London: SAGE
  • Avis, J., et al (2019) Equality and Diversity. in Avis, J., Fisher, R., Thompson, R. (Eds) Teaching in lifelong learning: a guide to theory and practice, Maidenhead, Open University Press
  • Avis, J., et al (2019) Getting to know the organization, with Dalton, J., Dixon, L., Jennings, A., Orr, K., Tummons, J. in Avis, J., Fisher, R., Thompson, R. (Eds) Teaching in lifelong learning: a guide to theory and practice, Maidenhead, Open University Press
  • Avis, J., et al (2019) Professionalism with Fisher, T., Ollin, R. in Avis, J., Fisher, R., Thompson, R. (Eds) Teaching in lifelong learning: a guide to theory and practice, Maidenhead, Open University Press 2019
  • Avis, J., et al (2019) Theorizing the work-based learning of teachers with Orr, K., Tummons, J. in Avis, J., Fisher, R., Thompson, R. (Eds) Teaching in lifelong learning: a guide to theory and practice, Maidenhead, Open University Press 
  • Avis, J., et al (2019) Theory and Practice, in Avis, J., Fisher, R., Thompson, R. (Eds) Teaching in lifelong learning: a guide to theory and practice, Maidenhead, Open University Press
  • Avis, J. (2018) The re-composition of class relations: neo-liberalism, precariousness, youth and education, in Smyth, J., Simmons, R. (eds) Education and Working Class Youth, London, Palgrave, p131-154
  • Avis, J. (2017) Beyond competence, thinking through the changes: Economy, work and neo-Liberalism, in Mulder, M., Winterton, J. (Eds.) Competence-based Vocational and Professional Education. Bridging the Worlds of Work and Education. Cham: Springer International Publishing Switzerland. p183-202
  • Avis, J. (2017) Beyond Cynicism, Comfort Radicalism and Emancipatory Practice: FE teachers, Daley, M., Orr, K., Petrie, J. (Eds) The Principal  UCL IoE press, p95-202
  • Avis, J., Reynolds, C (2017) The digitalisation of work and social justice - reflections on the labour process of English Further Education (VET) teachers, Harteis, C. (ed) The impact of digitization in the workplace: An educational view Dordrecht, Springer series Professional and Practice-based Learning, p213-229
  • Avis, J. (2017) “It’s all about work”: New Times, Post-Fordism and Vocational Pedagogy, in Sai Loo, S., Jameson, J., (Eds) Vocationalism in Further and Higher Education: Policy, Programmes and Pedagogy, London Routledge. p93-105
  • Avis, J., Canning, R., Fisher, R., Simmons, R. (2014) State Intervention and Vocational Teacher Education in Scotland and England: 1999-2012, in Ling, L., Stephenson, J (eds) Challenges to Teacher Education in Difficult Economic Times, London, Routledge
  • Avis, J. (2014) Introduction: Global reconstructions of vocational education and training, (editor) Global Reconstructions of Vocational Education and Training, London, Falmer
  • Atkins, L. May, 2018 Keynote Address Socially Just Research in Further Education: walking the walk and talking the talk at University of Huddersfield Annual Research Conference.
  • Atkins, L. September 2016, Keynote Address: ‘Higher Vocational Education in Times of Uncertainty’ in HIVE-PED ESRC Seminar Series, University of Greenwich.
  • Atkins, L. December 2014 ‘There must be things I can do, there must be doors it can open’: The reality of undertaking foundation programs post-16. Keynote Lecture at New South Wales Adult Literacy & Numeracy Council Annual Conference, University of Technology, Sydney.
  • Atkins, L. February 2013, Invited Lecture: English vocational and academic education: some issues and challenges East African School for Higher Education Studies and Development, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
  • Avis, J. and Atkins, L. Youth Transitions and the ‘making’ of class: changing theorisations for changing times? Presented (by invitation) at Department of Education, Stockholm University, April 2018
  • Avis, J. (2017) Beyond Competence, Thinking Through the Changes: economy, Work and Neo-Liberalism, paper presented, Institut für Soziologie,Technische Universität Dresden, 25 January 2017
  • Avis, J. (2017) Discussant, Vocational education, transitions, marginalisation and social justice in the Nordic countries, 45th Congress of the Nordic Educational Research Association (NERA), 23-24 March, Aalborg University, Copenhagen.
  • Avis, J. (2017) Crossing Boundaries: VET, the Labour Market and Social Justice. Keynote address: Crossing boundaries in Vocational Education and training: social dimensions and participation. Institut Berufspädagogik, Universität Rostock, 16-18 August 2017
  • Avis, J. (2016) Higher Vocational Education: Critical perspectives, Keynote ESRC research seminar series 2014-16 Higher Vocational Education and Pedagogy, policy colloquium King’s College, London 29 June
  • Avis, J. (2015) Discussant, International perspectives on policy, pedagogy and practice in higher vocational education part of the ESRC-funded seminar series, HIVE-PED: higher vocational education and pedagogy in England, School of Education and Professional Development, University of Huddersfield, 30 October
  • Avis, J. (2015) Vocational Education and Teacher Preparation Programmes Reflections on the British Experience, Guest lecture National Institute for Technical Teachers Training and Research, Chennai, 12th March
  • Avis, J. (2015) Neo-liberalism and VET into the abyss? Keynote address AVETRA conference, Melbourne, 8-9 April  
  • Avis, J. (2015) panel discussant Finding the balance: How can students teachers, trainers and providers best respond to the training market? AVETRA conference, Melbourne, 8-9 April