Article Green Open Access 2017

Higher vocational education and social mobility: educational participation in Australia and England

WS
Webb, Sue Christine
 BA
Bathmaker, Ann Marie
 GT
Gale, Trevor C.
 HS
Hodge, Steven
 PS
Parker, Stephen G.
 RS
Rawolle, Shaun
Journal of Vocational Education and Training
Journal · Vol. 69 · Issue 1 · pp. 147-167
Abstract

This article explores the issue of social mobility in relation to the recent expansion of higher vocational education (HIVE) by non-university providers. The post-school vocational education sector has become the object of policies to widen access to higher education to ensure greater social mobility and provide second chance education to those who do not complete initial education in Anglophone countries. Drawing on typologies of vocational education and training systems, the article generates understanding of the expansion of HIVE within two Anglophone countries (Australia and England). The article considers the implications for widening opportunities to higher education for non-traditional students from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds in these two contexts. Descriptive analysis of current national data on participation reveals surprising differences between countries. The article concludes by discussing the extent to which the higher education offerings in vocational institutions can contribute to social mobility within these two countries. © 2017 The Vocational Aspect of Education Ltd.

Keywords

Author Keywords

vocational education and training policy analysis HE in FE Comparative vet Access to HE

Index Keywords

Author Affiliations
Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
University of Birmingham, Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom
University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
Funding & Acknowledgements
No funding information
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