Crisis and Change in Vocational Education and Training

In this volume Dr Geoffrey Elliot provides a critical account of the nature, extent and impact of government policy for the further education sector. He explores a range of responses to policy, exposing both intended and unintended consequences of the increased development of Human Resources Management and Quality Assurance system, and sets these in the context of competing lecturer and manager perspectives. He bases his theoretical focus on a study of a large urban FE college coming to terms with increasing pressures from market forces in vocational education. At a time of rapid change in FE this book offers useful and relevant information on:
· the impact of government policy and college procedures upon lecturers’ practice
· the effects of the introduction of formal quality systems and quantitative performance indicators into the college
· the conflict of professionals trying to balance the demands of students and managers
· the resulting tensions between lecturers and senior college managers over resourcing, management styles and practices.