Adult Refugees learning in the German dual VET workplace (GdVET)

A Bakery Company Case Study

Master's Thesis , 2022 , 78 Pages , Grade: Good

Social Studies (General)

This paper explores how refugees learn at the German dual VET (GdVET) workplace. It looks at the interactions between Germans and refugees, questions what learning and working in a group in the workplace means for the participants, and what factors support the refugees' learning.

For this purpose, a framework of five spheres borrowing and combining elements from Wenger's (1998b) Community of Practice and Lave & Wenger's (1991) situated learning is used. They allow us to observe and discuss possible learning characteristics for refugees in a GdVET. These spheres are explored in a case study, a bakery factory. For this sake, a limited participatory observation and eight interviews with Germans and refugees at the workplace were conducted.

Results confirm, i.a., the refugees' extraordinary motivation and commitment, highlighted in previous research and media. Furthermore, the particularly striking loyalty the refugees hold for their work domain is elicited and analyzed in the context of their biography, experience, and development at work. It is found that the bakery's owner's role and his tireless commitment to equal opportunities and against racism play a significant identificatory role for the refugees and their professional identification. Furthermore, the study shows that learning in a multicultural setting with vertical power relations also happens by non-verbal negotiation through observing the reaction of the others and testing out possibilities, roles, and participation. All of them lead eventually to a multicultural domesticated workplace to which all can feel committed.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Why a bakery?
• Aim and questions
• Study context
• Refugee's situation in Germany
• The German dual VET (GdVET)
• The structure of a GdVET
• The current GdVET situation in Germany
• Refugee is not refugee
• Literature review
• The significance of forced migration on refugees' learning and capabilities
• The GdVET and refugees' learning
• Some considerations
• Theoretical frame
• The GdVET-workplace as a social learning environment
• The domain
• The community
• The practice
• Reviewing the GdVET in five spheres: some implications
• Sphere 1: Situated learning environment
• Sphere 2: Social structure, power relations, and legitimacy conditions
• Sphere 3: The domain
• Sphere 4: The community
• Sphere 5: The practice
• Methodology
• Considerations and choices
• Qualitative research quality criteria
• Choosing the bakery and interview-partners
• Data collection
• First stage: Semi-structured interview with the owner of the bakery
• Second stage: Short-termed participatory observation
• Third stage: Semi-structured Interviews
• Designing the semi-structured interviews
• Transcribing the interviews
• Data analysis
• Ethical considerations
• Findings
• The bakery - Setting the scene (participatory observation impressions)
• The company and its managing owner
• Learning attitude, dignity, and pride
• Learning at the workplace
• Perceiving each other
• Aspects concerning refugee trainees in a mixed GdVET bakery within the five spheres
• Special aspects influencing sphere 1: Situated learning environment
• Special aspects influencing sphere 2: Social structure, power relations, and legitimacy conditions
• Special aspects influencing sphere 3: The domain
• Special aspects influencing sphere 4: The community
• Special aspects influencing sphere 5: The practice
• Concluding discussion and further research

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper investigates the learning experiences of adult refugees within the German dual VET (GdVET) workplace, specifically examining the interactions between German and refugee participants. It aims to understand the nature of learning and working in a group within this setting, focusing on factors that support refugees' learning and professional development.

• The learning process of adult refugees in the GdVET workplace
• Interactions and relationships between German and refugee participants
• The influence of social structures, power relations, and legitimacy conditions on learning
• Factors supporting the learning and development of refugees in the GdVET
• The impact of the workplace environment on refugee integration and professional identity.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: This chapter sets the stage for the study by explaining the choice of a bakery as the case study setting. It outlines the research objectives and questions that will be addressed throughout the paper.
• Study context: This chapter provides background information on the situation of refugees in Germany and the structure and current state of the German dual VET system (GdVET). It explores the different types of refugee statuses and their implications for accessing training and employment opportunities.
• Literature review: This chapter reviews existing research on the impact of forced migration on refugees' learning and capabilities, focusing on the role of the GdVET system in promoting refugees' learning. It highlights key considerations and challenges related to this topic.
• Theoretical frame: This chapter presents the theoretical framework used for analyzing the study, drawing upon Wenger's (1998b) Community of Practice and Lave & Wenger's (1991) situated learning theories. It outlines a framework of five spheres to understand the learning dynamics in the GdVET-workplace.
• Methodology: This chapter details the research methods used in the case study, including considerations for qualitative research quality criteria, participant selection, data collection methods, and data analysis techniques.
• Findings: This chapter presents the key findings of the case study, focusing on the bakery setting, the company's management, and the learning experiences of both German and refugee participants. It analyzes the learning dynamics within the five spheres identified in the theoretical framework.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This research focuses on the learning experiences of adult refugees in the German dual VET workplace. Key concepts include refugee integration, workplace learning, social structures, power relations, situated learning, community of practice, multiculturalism, and professional identity. The study explores the relationship between these concepts and the potential for refugees to successfully navigate and benefit from the German dual VET system.

• College: Linköping University (Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning)
• Grade: Good
• Author: Marwan Hassan (Author)
• Publication Year: 2022
• Pages: 78
• Catalog Number: V1267215
• ISBN (PDF): 9783346721129
• ISBN (Book): 9783346721136
• Language: English
• Tags: Adult Education, Erwachsenenbildung, Flüchtlinge, Ausbildung, Lehre, Integration