Case studies

Work to learn, learn to work

Research Project Title: Research in Work and Learning

Traditionally, education has been seen as something that happens before you get to work, or after that, only as part of structured learning programs. Similarly, research into how people learn has largely not encompassed the kind of learning that everyone does right throughout their working lives and beyond.

Associate Professor Clive Chappell, CRLC director, says 'Workers often believe that being a learner at work is often misconstrued by peers and employers as indicating a lack of skill or an inability to perform their current duties.

'It's acceptable to be a learner at work if you've just arrived or if you're young and still learning the ropes. But if you're 40 or 45 and called a learner at work, it can have a negative connotation.'

Researchers in the CRLC have taken educational research beyond educational institutions by focusing on learning that occurs for, at and in work. Learning is now being seen by employers and workers as a key strategy in adapting to the flexible careers of the new global, post-industrial economic conditions. The CRLC has for a number of years been developing research that supports and guides workforce development in what's now termed the 'knowledge economy'.

The research brings together theories of organisation and management, education and training, psychology, sociology and cultural studies to better understand learning and work.

CRLC researcher Professor Andrew Gonczi says 'One of the challenges which remains is to bring together perspectives gained both inside and outside education systems. Why should a person training to become a schoolteacher, for example, not also develop skills in promoting learning in a range of non-school contexts? Why should a person involved in promoting learning in industry not also be able to use their experience in schools?'

olved in promoting learning in industry not also be able to use their experience in schools?'

Contact: Associate Professor Clive Chappell, Faculty of Education
Email: Clive.Chappell@uts.edu.au
Tel: (02) 9514 3999