TY - JOUR

T1 - Racialised norms in apprenticeship systems in England and Germany

AU - Chadderton, Charlotte

AU - Wischmann, Anke

PY - 2014/6/9

Y1 - 2014/6/9

N2 - In this paper, we consider the issue of the under-representation of young people from minority ethnic/migrant backgrounds in apprenticeships in England and Germany. Whilst there are many studies on apprenticeships in England and Germany, few focus on under-representation or discrimination, even fewer on ethnic under-representation, and there are no comparative studies of the topic. We review the existing literature and drawing on Critical Race Theory, we argue that most studies on apprenticeships and ethnicity tend to confirm rather than challenge stereotypes of these minority groups, and to view young people as autonomous agents able to make (relatively) free choices. We argue that connections should be made between ethnic under-representation and studies of the racial segmentation of the labour market. Drawing on these studies of the labour market, we suggest, innovatively but perhaps somewhat controversially, that it is likely that racialised norms shape expectations of the worker and migrant worker, and of who fits where in the labour markets and vocational training systems. Further, we argue that this challenges popular notions of what constitutes career ‘choices’ on the part of young people.

AB - In this paper, we consider the issue of the under-representation of young people from minority ethnic/migrant backgrounds in apprenticeships in England and Germany. Whilst there are many studies on apprenticeships in England and Germany, few focus on under-representation or discrimination, even fewer on ethnic under-representation, and there are no comparative studies of the topic. We review the existing literature and drawing on Critical Race Theory, we argue that most studies on apprenticeships and ethnicity tend to confirm rather than challenge stereotypes of these minority groups, and to view young people as autonomous agents able to make (relatively) free choices. We argue that connections should be made between ethnic under-representation and studies of the racial segmentation of the labour market. Drawing on these studies of the labour market, we suggest, innovatively but perhaps somewhat controversially, that it is likely that racialised norms shape expectations of the worker and migrant worker, and of who fits where in the labour markets and vocational training systems. Further, we argue that this challenges popular notions of what constitutes career ‘choices’ on the part of young people.

KW - Lifelong Learning

KW - apprenticeships; labour market segregation; race; stereotypes; under-representation

KW - Educational science

KW - Gender and Diversity

U2 - 10.1080/13636820.2014.917693

DO - 10.1080/13636820.2014.917693

M3 - Journal articles

VL - 66

SP - 330

EP - 347

JO - Journal of Vocational Education and Training

JF - Journal of Vocational Education and Training

SN - 1363-6820

IS - 3

ER -