Transitioning Vocational Education and Training in Africa: A Social Skills Ecosystem Perspective

Description

The transition to more just and sustainable development requires radical change across a wide range of areas and particularly for the nexus between learning and work. This book takes an expansive view of vocational education and training that goes beyond the narrow focus of much of the current literature and policy debate. Drawing on case studies across rural and urban settings in Uganda and South Africa, the book offers a new way of seeing this through an exploration of the multiple ways in which people learn to have better livelihoods. Crucially, it explores learning that takes place informally online, within farmers' groups and in public and private education institutions. Offering new insights and ways of thinking about this field, the book draws out clear implications for theory, policy and practice in Africa and beyond.

Simon McGrath is Professor of Education at the University of Glasgow and Visiting Professor at Nelson Mandela University. George Openjuru is Vice-Chancellor at Gulu University. Heila Lotz-Sisitka is Distinguished Professor and NRF-SARChI Chair in Global Change and Social Learning Systems Development at Rhodes University. Stephanie Allais is NRF-SARChI Chair in Skills Development at the University of the Witwatersrand. Jacques Zeelen is UNESCO Chair in Lifelong Learning at Gulu University and the University of Groningen. Volker Wedekind is Deputy Head of School and Director of Research Knowledge Exchange at the University of Nottingham. Presha Ramsarup is Director at REAL Centre at the University of the Witwatersrand and Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Nottingham. David Monk is Lecturer at Gulu University. Luke Metelerkamp is Post-Doctoral Researcher at Rhodes University. Jo-Anna Russon is Research Fellow at the University of Nottingham. Bonaventure Kyaligonja is Hoima Campus Director at Gulu University. Glen Robbins is an independent consultant specialising in spatial development projects. Scovia Adrupio is Junior Researcher and administrator at Gulu University. David Ocan is Junior Researcher at Gulu University. Kenneth Nyeko is Junior Researcher and administrator at Gulu University. Primo Adoye is Hoima Campus Registrar at Gulu University. Palesa Molebatsi is a PhD student at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. Themba Tshabalala is a PhD student at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. Sidney Muhangi is a PhD student at Rhodes University, South Africa. Maxwell Openjuru is Research Associate at Gulu University, Uganda.

"This is a must-read book for anyone interested in the future of vocational education and training on the African continent. The book is beautifully written by a team of leading experts on VET in Africa. Rich in empirical evidence and theoretical insight, the book develops an important argument about the urgent need to radically transform VET so as to achieve more sustainable futures on the continent." Leon Tikly, University of Bristol