INAP Conference, Turin, September 2009 The EQF and apprenticeship: the case of bricklaying Michaela Brockmann, University of Westminster Linda Clarke, University of Westminster Christopher Winch, King’s College London

INAP Conference, Turin, September 2009 The European Qualifications Framework (EQF) aims to enhance comparability of qualifications, mobility of labour based on learning outcomes eight levels – 3 descriptors: knowledge, skills, competence Open Method of Coordination (OMC) Zones of Mutual Trust (Coles & Oates, 2004) The EQF and apprenticeship: the case of bricklaying

INAP Conference, Turin, September 2009 Nuffield study: Cross-national equivalence of vocational qualifications and skills Cross-national: England, Germany, Netherlands, France Case-study approach: bricklaying, lorry-driving, software engineering, nursing Leonardo-da-Vinci: Bricklaying qualifications, work and VET in Europe Examines bricklaying qualifications in 8 European countries Developing a framework for the comparative assessment Assessing possibilities and problems concerning the implementation of EQF/ECVET The EQF and apprenticeship: the case of bricklaying

INAP Conference, Turin, September 2009 Occupational vs Skill-based VET systems Occupational: statutory framework social partnership recognised qualifications comprehensive nationally recognised VET programmes multi-dimensional competence ‘occupational capacity’ occupational knowledge general and civic education Skill-based: weak statutory framework marginalisation of stakeholder interests narrow skills sets, remedial functional skills functionalist-behavourist conception of competence minimal underpinning knowledge neglect of general and civic education

INAP Conference, Turin, September 2009 plumber quantity surveyor bricklayer joiner construction manager site manager roofer architect CarpenterJoiner Bricklayer Concrete worker Plumber Site Manager Roofer Building engineer Architect SKILLS/TRADESOCCUPATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS carpenter

INAP Conference, Turin, September 2009 Place, scope of bricklaying in England 2.3m employed in construction 2007; 100,220 bricklayers (11% of skilled construction tradespersons) Trade – not occupation, tools of trade, employed by LOSC, often self-employed, lack of stability, loss of status, usually paid according to price ie. secondary not occupational labour market Fragmented nature of social partners: dominance of trade associations, VET employer-led, little trade union (UCATT) involvement Often narrow activities, especially housebuilding, but changing (was broad) →increasing need for versatility (e.g. stone); glue instead of mortar + machines High degree informal learning + acquiring NVQ through OSAT → Need for more comprehensive VET as not reflecting changing labour process (rise of concretor); what is bricklayer?

INAP Conference, Turin, September 2009 Nature of Bricklaying VET in England Traditional trade-based VET: 21% first year construction trainees bricklayers Predominantly NVQ2 (as ‘craftsman’ in WRA NVQ3): 11% construction trainees = Level 3, 60% Level 2, 17% Level 1 Apprenticeships: Only c45% construction trainees apprentices (83% Level 2), c. 2 years, trade specific; college day release; 5x more apprentice applicants than places; fixed CITB apprentice grant partly through levy Exclusion of trade unions and FE sector though FE colleges key providers (ICAs/ diplomas + work experience); divide between FE and industry Training variable standard & narrow

INAP Conference, Turin, September 2009 Main skills and competences E.g. bricklaying course content: Building solid walls and piers Building cavity walls, chimneys, flues and arches Drainage systems Basic scaffolding Setting out rectangular building Health and safety on site Functional skills – English, Maths, ICT (not integrated) Lack of permeability, difficult to progress NVQ learning outcomes, based on performance criteria & derived from occupational standards (e.g. conform to workplace safety) Minimalist underpinning knowledge, no social skill requirements, narrow range of skills, focussed on constructing brick and blockwork and some concreting →Lack transferable skills/competences

INAP Conference, Turin, September 2009 Definitions: English bricklaying trade Weak VET, intellectual function separated from manual, little mapping of labour categories into sectoral divisions → weak occupational status Skills = physical and mental dexterity to perform employer- defined tasks in work process, acquired through traditional apprenticeship, learning mainly on job with little theoretical underpinning Competences confined to narrow trade skills required to produce given output Regulation and Currency: CSCS registration but difference between collectively agreed, qualification and pay levels Scope defined by employer/trade associations, little involvement of TUs & educationalists,

INAP Conference, Turin, September 2009 Nature of Bricklaying VET in Germany model of social partner regulation, including assessment 3-year dual system apprenticeship level 3+; high success rate (77%; 92% inc. second attempt) comprehensive training; college + workshop + workplace; no modular structure; 2-tier (Stufenausbildung) – qualification in one of 3 sub-sectors after 2 years (Hochbau, Tiefbau, Ausbau) – occupational qualification after 3 years comprehensive mapping of occupations onto sector → occupational qualifications (Beruf Construction: 14 Berufe) → occupational labour market i.e. importance of qualification for labour market entry (82% of bricklayers have qualification) graded wage structure (6 levels) linked to qualification levels and hence collective bargaining system

INAP Conference, Turin, September 2009 Bricklaying competences in Germany ‘Occupational capacity’: as Beruf i.e. stepwise specialisation, from the whole of construction to bricklayer, strong social identity Content: –industrial knowledge (VET law, labour law, social partnership, health & safety, environmental protection) – occupational knowledge and skills – social competences – general and civic education (economics, politics, German, sports) Handlungskompetenz Broad scope of activity: newly built, renovation, restauration, working with variety of materials Autonomy: planning, carrying out, evaluation Permeability

INAP Conference, Turin, September 2009 Definitions: German Maurer Beruf Formally recognised social category i.e. close relation occupation and social status Regulated VET and qualifications, promotion, theoretical & practical knowledge necessary to undertake defined and broad range activities Holistic and multi-dimensional competences linked to developing individual capacity and changes in labour process Systematised combination of knowledge, skills and competence i.e. uniting intellectual and manual Scope determined by social partners Link between occupational qualification and recognition through collective bargaining Link between occupations and education →mapping occupations onto sectoral structure

INAP Conference, Turin, September 2009 Conclusions 1: the qualifications skills-based (level 2) – task-specific, employer-defined – minimal educational input – not a precondition for labour market entry occupational (level 3) – notion of competence development – recognised entry route to the labour market The EQF and apprenticeship: the case of bricklaying

INAP Conference, Turin, September 2009 Conclusions 2: Scope of the occupation skills-based – restricted range of tasks, focussed on outputs and performance – bricklaying as a trade occupational – broader underpinning knowledge The EQF and apprenticeship: the case of bricklaying

INAP Conference, Turin, September 2009 What does this mean for the EQF? notion of competence scope of activities learning outcomes The EQF and apprenticeship: the case of bricklaying