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Skill as metaphor: an analysis of terminology used in Success for All and 21st Century Skills

Williams, Joanna (2005) Skill as metaphor: an analysis of terminology used in Success for All and 21st Century Skills. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 29 (2). pp. 181-190. ISSN 0309-877X. (doi:10.1080/03098770500103598) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:45317)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
https://doi.org/10.1080/03098770500103598

Abstract

This paper considers the significance of the term ‘skills’ in recent policy documents concerning the future developments of post?16 education. This paper argues that the skills debate, as outlined in Success For All and 21st Century Skills, comprises two dominant discourses: it is considered necessary for youngsters to gain skills for their personal employability and the nation's increased prosperity; and the acquisition of skills by students is judged vital for social inclusion and a coherent society. The documents present these dual objectives as being inextricably linked. Treating the signifier ‘skill’ as a metaphor helps expose the ideology behind the Labour Government's thinking on further education (FE). Skills are used to symbolize something of material worth, with a specific exchange value; a tangible product, like a natural resource; social capital; or education and learning. This paper deconstructs these four metaphorical uses of the term skills, within an analysis of Success For All and 21st Century Skills.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1080/03098770500103598
Subjects: L Education
L Education > LB Theory and practice of education
Divisions: Divisions > Directorate of Education > Centre for the Study of Higher Education
Depositing User: Joanna Williams
Date Deposited: 22 Nov 2014 17:05 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:18 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/45317 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Williams, Joanna.

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