What question did this study set out to answer?

The central aim is to critique the rise of vocationalism and competence-based approaches in education influenced by enterprise culture.

January 1, 1991

Taking Care of Business: vocationalism, competence and the enterprise culture

Key Points

The central aim is to critique the rise of vocationalism and competence-based approaches in education influenced by enterprise culture.
Examined the ideological and value shifts in education due to enterprise culture.
Critiqued the trend of vocationalizing the curriculum and the ethical justification of enterprise ethos.
Identified a significant focus on educational efficiency aligned with economic needs.
Noted the spread of competence-based learning from post-compulsory education to the school sector.

Abstract

Summary The impact of the enterprise culture on education has resulted in a closer identification with industrial and economic activity. This has brought about an ideological and value shift which has given primacy to the efficiency of the education system in meeting the needs of the economy, and a corresponding vocationalising of the curriculum to serve this process. Competence‐based learning, popularised through National Vocational Qualifications, has aided this process and now shows signs of filtering down from the post‐compulsory to the school sector. A critique of the trend towards vocationalism and competency is put forward, along with a critical examination of recent attempts to provide an ethical justification of the enterprise ethos in education.

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