Article
Employability and Inclusion of Non-traditional University Students: Limitations and Challenges
Author/s | González Monteagudo, José
Padilla Carmona, María Teresa Tenorio Rodríguez, María |
Department | Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Teoría e Historia de la Educación y Pedagogía Social Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Métodos de Investigación y Diagnóstico en Educación |
Publication Date | 2021 |
Deposit Date | 2021-03-09 |
Published in |
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Abstract | In recent decades employability has become more visible and is part of the agenda of European universities, leading to a closer link between higher education and the labour market. In this context, the objectives of this ... In recent decades employability has become more visible and is part of the agenda of European universities, leading to a closer link between higher education and the labour market. In this context, the objectives of this study are: to analyse the approach to employability developed by the university; to find out the influence of employability policies on non-traditional students; and the alignment of the development of employability with the democratic mission of the university. Qualitative research has been carried out at one public university in Southern Spain, based on 40 in-depth interviews, undertaken with non-traditional students and graduates, employers, and university staff. The main results obtained are: the employability approach is based on the acquisition of key skills, in the framework of neoliberal policies; the opportunities offered to students to improve their employability are unevenly distributed and, therefore, scarcely available to underrepresented students; and the market-oriented concept of employability damages non-traditional students. The development of the democratic and inclusive role to be developed by the universities requires challenging the policies and practices on employability, that are based on neoliberal perspectives. This involves the visibility of the power relations at stake as well as the promotion of critical and reflective pedagogies, with the aim of questioning and reducing the inequalities faced by non-traditional students. |
Citation | González Monteagudo, J., Padilla Carmona, M.T. y Tenorio Rodríguez, M. (2021). Employability and Inclusion of Non-traditional University Students: Limitations and Challenges. IAFOR Journal of Education: Inclusive Education, 9 (1), 133-151. |
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2021 Tenorio-Rodríguez&al.pdf | 627.4Kb | [PDF] | View/ | Articulo de revista |