Pettifer-Thompson, Kate (2019) An exploratory investigation into employability skills provision at key stage five. EdD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

This thesis endeavoured to determine how well the KS5 curriculum prepared students for the workplace notably, their understanding of the skills they need for the workplace and the frequency to which these skills are practised prior to leaving formal education. Specifically, it explored the depth of understanding of the concept of employability skills across KS5 teachers and students and the sources of information and training both received regarding employability. It also examined how frequently activities, that encourage employability skills, were integrated across different KS5 subjects and the form that they may take. Lastly, it evaluated factors that encouraged or hampered the integration of these skills, and their corresponding activities, into learning and teaching.

The research used a Convergent Parallel Mixed Method Research approach, underpinned by the theoretical perspective of Pragmatism. The Mixed Method approach encompassed two distinct processes - a quantitative strand involving a survey of 108 teachers and 527 students from three establishments and a qualitative strand involving semi-structured interviews with sixteen KS5 teachers from two of these establishments. A range of twenty-five KS5 subjects were included, covering A-Level and BTEC qualifications. The findings indicated that there was pervasive confusion and lack of understanding, by both teachers and students, as to what employability skills are and what they entail. This fostered a lack of awareness of the importance of providing or gaining these skills. As such, it had a significant impact on how frequently employability skills, and corresponding activities, were integrated into learning and teaching.

The findings also showed a wide variation in the frequency of skills provision across the KS5 subject range. A number of enablers to improving skills provision were identified, as well as, some particularly significant barriers to their successful integration. Significantly, the research found that the depth and breadth of employability skills could not be adequately achieved under the current KS5 system. This was the result of a combination of factors that included: the inherent nature of the subject, the method of assessment and the limited number of subjects a student typically studies at KS5. To fully ensure that employability skills are practised to their requisite depth, a fundamental reorientation of the English Upper Secondary System is required involving a broader range of subjects taken and a wider variety of assessment methods. However, the research did find that much can be done to improve many, but not all, of the skills necessary for employment under the current KS5 system.

Item Type:	Thesis (EdD)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HF Commerce L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB1603 Secondary Education. High schools
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Education, Secondary, Sixth form colleges, Employability
Official Date:	October 2019
Dates:	Date Event October 2019 UNSPECIFIED
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Centre for Education Studies
Thesis Type:	EdD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Abbott, Ian, 1955-
Format of File:	pdf
Extent:	xi, 190 leaves : illustrations
Language:	eng

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