Racialised norms in apprenticeship systems in England and Germany

Chadderton, C and Wischmann, A (2014) 'Racialised norms in apprenticeship systems in England and Germany.' Journal of Vocational Education & Training, 66 (3). pp. 330-347. ISSN 1363-6820

Abstract

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.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	apprenticeships, under-representation, race, labour market segregation, stereotypes
Divisions:	School of Education
UoA:	Education
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1080/13636820.2014.917693
Date Deposited:	03 May 2018 14:51
Last Modified:	15 Aug 2021 09:50
URI / Page ID:	https://researchspace.bathspa.ac.uk/id/eprint/11018

	Request a change to this item or report an issue
	Update item (repository staff only)