Abstract # 64
Hillmert, Steffen; Jacob, Marita (2004):
Multiple episodes: training careers in a learning society.
As in other advanced societies, education and training
careers in Germany have extended and have become more complex over the
last few decades. A considerable number of young people undertake additional
episodes of formal training in spite of the fact that they have already
successfully completed vocational or academic training. In previous research,
extended and prolonged sequences of formal training have been attributed
to the need for continuing up-skilling in an increasingly knowledge-based
economy, individual value change in the sense of vocational de-alignment,
but also transition problems at labour market entry. In this paper, we
look at both types and determinants of educational careers: How widespread
are those differentiated pathways? Who - in terms of previous educational
attainment and labour market experience - undertakes multiple episodes
of training? To what extent do individual sequences of education and training
cross-cut structures of the educational system? The empirical analyses
base upon recent German life-history data which allow us to study educational
careers in detail. Our results lead us to two main conclusions: First,
qualification levels increase significantly over individuals’ life-time.
Hence, a longitudinal perspective on intra-generational developments is
necessary to get a valid account of educational participation in a 'learning
society'. Second, multiple training episodes rather increase than compensate
inter-individual differences in educational attainment. |
