Situating Learning in the Workplace: Having Another Look at Apprenticeships

This article examines the acquisition of vocational skills through apprenticeship-type situated learning. Findings from a studies of skilled workers revealed that learning processes that were consonant with the apprenticeship model of learning were highly valued as a means of acquiring and maintaining vocational skills. Supported by current research and theorising, this article, describes some conditions by which situated learning through apprenticeship can be utilised to develop vocational skills. These conditions include the nature of the activities learners engage in, the agency of the learning environment and mentoring role of experts. Conditions which may inhibit the effectiveness of an apprenticeship approach to learning are also addressed. The article concludes by suggesting that situated approaches to learning, such as the apprenticeship model may address problems of access to effective vocational skill development within the workforce.