Constructing and Practicing Vocational Knowledge at Workplace

Abstract

Vocational Education and Training (VET) is currently viewed as a tool for socio-economic development. This research paper examines how individuals construct vocational knowledge by engaging in practice in particular social settings, and how the influence of those circumstances is mediated by individuals’ prior knowledge premised on their personal histories. In order to achieve these objectives, the paper provides an overview of forms of knowledge which are goals of vocational Education and Training. This is followed by an account of sources of knowledge synthesized from the socio-cultural literature. This is a brief description of a study which examined how vocational knowledge is constructed by individuals participating in three different settings and the findings reported. It is concluded that vocational knowledge is constructed from history, community and ontogeny through micro genetic development. Finally, implications for vocational education and training are advanced. Key words : Vocational knowledge sources, social settings, personal histories, ontogeny, vocational training centres