Embedded flexibilization and polite employer domination: the case of short-track apprenticeships in Switzerland

IF 1.6 Q2 EDUCATION & EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH
Gina Di Maio, Lukas Graf, Anna Wilson
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Liberalization pressures challenge countries to adapt their training systems. This is particularly relevant for coordinated market economies with firm-driven but collectively governed apprenticeship systems. Recent literature has identified different liberalization trajectories for these countries. For instance, segmentalism describes the increasing influence of large employers in Germany. In Denmark, state agencies manage increased flexibility in training through embedded flexibilization. In this paper, we identify a new form of embedded flexibilization, characterized by polite employer domination. We find this trajectory of liberalization in Switzerland, which represents another training system heavily based on firm involvement. We illustrate our argument with the example of short-track apprenticeship training, which has been expanded in all three mentioned countries in response to ongoing liberalization and deindustrialization pressures. In Switzerland, the relevant reform was initiated by the state while business adopted a rather passive role initially. Yet, state actors eventually stepped back and delegated key competences to employers, which implies that the employers’ camp asserted their interests in the end while tolerating some concessions for the benefit of disadvantaged groups. Our process tracing reveals that policy makers used layering to implement short-tracks that enhance social inclusion, while simultaneously increasing the scope of employer cooperation.

嵌入式灵活化与有礼貌的雇主主导:瑞士短途学徒制案例
自由化的压力对各国调整其培训体系提出了挑战。这对于由企业驱动但学徒制度由集体管理的协调市场经济体尤为重要。最近的文献为这些国家指出了不同的自由化轨迹。例如,德国的分部主义描述了大雇主日益增长的影响力。在丹麦,国家机构通过嵌入式灵活化提高了培训的灵活性。在本文中,我们确定了一种新形式的嵌入式灵活化,其特点是礼貌的雇主主导。我们在瑞士发现了这种自由化的轨迹,它代表了另一种严重依赖企业参与的培训体系。我们以短途学徒培训为例说明我们的论点,上述三个国家都扩大了短途学徒培训,以应对当前的自由化和去工业化压力。在瑞士,相关改革是由国家发起的,而企业最初则扮演了相当被动的角色。然而,国家行为者最终退了一步,将关键权限下放给了雇主,这意味着雇主阵营最终维护了自己的利益,同时为了弱势群体的利益容忍了一些让步。我们的过程追踪显示,政策制定者利用分层来实施加强社会包容的捷径,同时扩大了雇主的合作范围。
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来源期刊
CiteScore
3.40
自引率
7.70%
发文量
9
审稿时长
13 weeks
期刊介绍: The main focus of this journal is to provide a platform for original empirical investigations in the field of professional, vocational and technical education, comparing the effectiveness, efficiency and equity of different vocational education systems at the school, company and systemic level. The journal fills a gap in the existing literature focusing on empirically-oriented academic research and stimulating the interest in strengthening the vocational part of the educational system, both at the basic and higher education level.
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