From Work Force Immigration to inclusion: A study of Vocational Education & Training Development in Relation to Society Changes and Immigration in a Historical Perspective

The presentation in this paper is based on a research project funded by the Swedish Research Council. The focus of this study is to examine the role that vocational education and training (VET) played and still plays in relation to the challenges that stem/ed from structural changes and immigration that Sweden has experienced from the 1950s to today. From the mid-1800s to the 1990s, Sweden experienced major structural changes: a shift from an agrarian economy, to and industrial based economy and labour market and finally to a post-Fordist knowledge intensive economy and labour market. In this study, we investigate how VET responded to labour market needs that resulted in the shift from industrial economy and labour market to a post- industrial labour market. In addition, the focus is on the role that VET play/ed in the inclusion of immigrants/refugees from the 1950s to today. The project is grounded on frame factor theory as presented by Lundgren (1989). The project consists of two interrelated studies: a historical study of VET and the changes in the VET system from the 1950s to today and two interview studies. The historical study will examine how the delivery and provision of VET has changed over time because of structural changes and immigration, and the role VET has played in the inclusion of immigrants to the labour market from the 1950s to today. In this study we will also look at changes in the organization and curriculum of the car mechanic vocational training from the 1950s to 2020. The historical study will not only shed light on how VET respond(ed) to structural changes and inclusion of immigrants in the Swedish work life from the 1950s to today but will also help to contextualize the interview studies and enrich our analysis of the interviews.