Editorial

Citation

Gibbs, P. (2011), "Editorial", Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, Vol. 1 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/heswbl.2011.50501aaa.003

Editorial

Article Type: Editorial From: Higher Education, Skills and Work-based Learning, Volume 1, Issue 1

Welcome to the first issue of the journal Higher Education, Skills and Work based Learning.

We have been working with the editorial team for about a year now to bring you a journal that interests, motivates and leaves you wanting a little bit more. Not the normal quest of an academic journal, I admit, but this journal is not just another journal. We attempt to bring together various perspectives to embody the notion of trans-disciplinarity and so work that is critically reasoned, has impact or discusses issues rated to higher level skills for any workplace is welcome. We adopt the style that is appropriate for the subject. We do not want to lose the essence of what our contributors have to say on the altar of a predefined format, style or convention that does not allow the truth of the arguments intended by the authors to come through. A tall order but this first issue, I think, achieves it.

Joy Carter’s and Adrian Anderson’s careful crafted review sets the tone for quality debate and this, coupled with John Hayes (Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning) see us on a direction of travel. The other papers show the diversity of approach that can be taken within the journal.

The journal is not intended to be UK-centric, and to signal this the first paper is provided by the internationally renowned academic and practitioner Joseph A. Realin, who holds the Knowles Chair in Adult Learning at Northeastern University. His insights into US policy and work-based learning sets in comparison the situational analysis provide for the UK. Joseph A. Realin’ commentary and discussion is the first of three papers that offer opinion, observation or philosophical analysis. The other two papers are authored by John G. Mumford and Anita Walsh and the three are balanced by three empirical papers.

Turning to John G. Mumford’s paper, he brings us an insider’s view of a participant in corporate training but with the perspective of a work based learning practitioner. Speaking from a stronger personal perspective grounded in senior non-academic, jobs his analysis offers us directions that can benefits all academic institutions. Anita Walsh – Director, Institute of Professional Studies Birkbeck – offers a skilled analysis of what the nature of research is for the work based researcher. Her style confirms the eclecticism that the journal seeks to nurture and presents a compelling case for consideration.

The first of the three papers reporting empirical findings comes from Briga Hynes, Yvonne Costin and Naomi Birdthistle of Limerick University. Importantly, it proposes a practice-based entrepreneurship education programme which enhances collaboration between educational institutions and the small business community as a means of producing a more employable, well-rounded and skilled graduate. It introduces a recurring theme in the three papers of an outward focus, responsive to the needs of industry, when designing educational programmes. The second of these is from Heather Skinner of Glamorgan University. Her case study discusses her institution’s response when dealing with the various drivers and challenges of accrediting informal learning at higher levels. She presents three sets of tool kits directed at the main stakeholders which are innovative and practical. The final paper is authored by Alison Felce of Wolverhampton University, who explores the practices that enabled collaboration between higher education organisations to meet the needs of local industries and businesses through work-place learning.

We also have a a number of book reviews – there do seem to be many more on the market recently – and one announcement about a future conference at the University of Salford.

I do hope you enjoy this first issue and that it encourages you to come back to read us again and to contribute your work. If you have any comments you want to make the editorial team would be delighted to receive them.

Paul Gibbs