scholarly journals Development of Sustainability Competencies for the Labour Market: An Exploratory Qualitative Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (20) ◽  
pp. 5716 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Jelonek ◽  
Maria Urbaniec
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Labour Market ◽  
Institutional Support ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Graduate Employability ◽  
Market Needs ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Competencies Development ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
And Training

The aim of this paper is to explore the key sustainability competencies increasing the employability of higher education graduates in Poland. Based on the results of a broad literature review on key sustainability competencies, the substantive contribution to a coherent framework of typologies of sustainability competencies will be synthesised. The developed research framework will subsequently be analysed with empirical data, collected by in-depth interviews (IDI) and focus group interviews (FGI) on the relevant employability competencies for the Polish labour market. This enables the elimination of critical gaps in the conceptualisation of the key sustainability competencies of higher education (HE) graduates related to the current and future labour market needs. The results of the analysis can make a contribution to sustainable HE graduate employability literature by exploring the links between employability and sustainability competencies. The results may be relevant to institutional support in the design and review of educational programs and training in order to foster sustainability competencies development.

THE TROUBLED JOURNEYS OF SCHOOL DROP-OUTS: WASTAGE, REDEMPTION AND POLICY CONSIDERATIONS

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Andile Dube ◽  
Mokubung Nkomo
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Young People ◽  
Labour Market ◽  
Training And Development ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Second Chance Education ◽  
Qualitative Research Methodology ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Drop Outs ◽  
Second Chance

The study traces the pathways of young people who dropped out of school between grades 1 to 11 as they seek re-entrance to the education, training and development (ETD) system, or entrance into the labour market. Particular attention is given to the factors that determine the choices that drop-outs make in either re-entering the ETD system or entering the labour market. An analysis of the experiences of the interviewed sample of drop-outs is presented. The study employs a qualitative research methodology, using interviews to elicit the experiences of drop-outs and school managers. Through snowballing, 14 youths and three principals were selected from a township south of Durban. Individual and focus group interviews were conducted. The findings provide insights into the drop-outs’ perceptions regarding the value of investing in education. They are discussed further in relation to the respective theories used in the study. The concluding section suggests the need for investments in second chance education by government and the private sector, and proposes an integrated model to assist young people who re-enter psychologically and emotionally.

scholarly journals Methods and applications for visualization of SNOMED CT concept sets

2014 ◽  
Vol 05 (01) ◽  
pp. 127-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Sundvall ◽  
K.R. Gøeg ◽  
A.R. Højen
Keyword(s):  
Content Management ◽  
Graph Layout ◽  
Snomed Ct ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Hierarchical Relations ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
And Training ◽  
Selection Of

SummaryInconsistent use of SNOMED CT concepts may reduce comparability of information in health information systems. Terminology implementation should be approached by common strategies for navigating and selecting proper concepts. This study aims to explore ways of illustrating common pathways and ancestors of particular sets of concepts, to support consistent use of SNOMED CT and also assess potential applications for such visualizations.The open source prototype presented is an interactive web-based re-implementation of the terminology visualization tool TermViz that provides an overview of concepts and their hierarchical relations. It provides terminological features such as interactively rearranging graphs, fetching more concept nodes, highlighting least common parents and shared pathways in merged graphs etc.Four teams of three to four people used the prototype to complete a terminology mapping task and then, in focus group interviews, discussed the user experience and potential future tool usage. Potential purposes discussed included SNOMED CT search and training, consistent selection of concepts and content management.The evaluation indicated that the tool may be useful in many contexts especially if integrated with existing systems, and that the graph layout needs further tuning and development.Citation: Højen AR, Sundvall E, Gøeg KR. Methods and applications for visualization of SNOMED CT concept sets. Appl Clin Inf 2014; 5: 127–152http://dx.doi.org/10.4338/ACI-2013-09-RA-0071

scholarly journals Crossing borders . . . shifting sands: An investigation of Chinese students’ study experiences in the UK and China

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 451-472
Author(s):  
Kashmir Kaur
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Student Mobility ◽  
Chinese Students ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Different Types ◽  
English Medium Instruction ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Learning Issues

In the current landscape of higher education in the UK, international students play a key role. It is an environment in which they not only cross borders physically but also transition through various identities as they develop their professional and linguistic confidence and skills to fully access and contribute to their programme of study and beyond. The aim of this paper is to outline the results of an empirical investigation into Chinese students’ perceptions of their study experiences in the context of student mobility and English-medium instruction in higher education. It reports on a study of two groups of Chinese students – one group studying in an English-speaking environment, the other in their home country where instruction is delivered through the medium of English. Semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted at each site which focused on the transition of “crossing borders” for educational purposes. The data was analysed using thematic analysis (Clarke & Braun, 2016). The main finding was that both groups experienced remarkably similar learning issues, despite being located in very different learning environments and crossing different types of borders.

scholarly journals Kva styrer og kva styrker samspelet mellom barnehagepersonalet og foreldra?

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 49-64
Author(s):  
Gunnhild Bergset
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Parental Involvement ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Parent Group ◽  
Migrant Background ◽  
Daily Contact ◽  
Resource Perspective ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Insight Into

The purpose of this article is to present and discuss some of the challenges in communication and interaction between a kindergarten staff and a parent group of migrant background. Based on an interview study conducted in a kindergarten, the article works to provides insight into and understanding of the kindergarten staff’s experiences and reflections from their efforts to improve communication and interaction practices in daily contact with parents of migrant background. The staff completed a kindergarten-based project of the initiative of the principal, in which all employees implemented specific communication and interaction measures. Then, in-depth interviews were conducted with all staff, as well as two focus group interviews with the same group of informants. The study is based on a dynamic concept of culture and highlights the challenges of asymmetric communication and the possibilities of communicating and interacting based on a resource perspective. The findings show that a movement has taken place towards dialogue-based reciprocity in the staff`s attitudes towards communication and interaction with these parents. The article argues that connection between a trying-out of concrete, professionally grounded practice and pedagogical reflection constitutes the necessary basis for a shift from a problem orientation to a resource orientation in communication and interaction. One outcome of this resource perspective was that the kindergarten staff recognized the parent`s experiences and perceptions as valuable for achieving the parental involvement required by kindergarten`s social mandate.

The Experiences of People With Advanced Cancer and Professionals Participating in a Program With Focus on Rehabilitation and Palliative Care

2022 ◽  
pp. 003022282110583
Author(s):  
Mette Raunkiær
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Gain Control ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Everyday Activities ◽  
Rehabilitation Programs ◽  
Physical Functions ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
And Training

The study’s aim is to explore the experiences of people with advanced cancer and professionals participating in a program with focus on rehabilitation and palliative care. The study is based on two adjusted rehabilitation programs for 33 people with advanced cancer and 12 professionals. An observational study was conducted among the participants and two focus group interviews with 10 professionals. The analytic themes were “Lightness and happiness to gain control in everyday life,” “Community and closeness,” and “Training as a happiness and changing agent.” The activities had to support physical functions and everyday activities promoting body identity and well-being as well as emotions like closeness, lightness, and happiness in groups with like-minded people and at home with a partner and other family members. These activities and theory of emotions and body can expand the understanding of palliative care and rehabilitation as separated or integrated perspectives theoretical and in practice.

(Mis)match between higher education supply and labour market needs: evidence from Portugal

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Olo ◽  
Leonida Correia ◽  
Maria da Conceição Rego
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Empirical Study ◽  
Labour Market ◽  
Rank Correlation ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Job Offers ◽  
Education Supply ◽  
Market Needs

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse whether there is an adjustment between the Portuguese higher education supply and the needs of the labour market.Design/methodology/approachAn empirical study is performed, using a quantitative approach, relating the job offers for graduates registered at the employment centres and the number of graduates by higher education institutions (HEIs) in Portugal, at an aggregate level and NUT II regions, by areas of education and training, over the 2003–2018 period. To understand how job offers and graduates are correlated, bilateral Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were calculated.FindingsThe results show that, in large groups of educational areas, exists a match between the higher education supply and the labour market needs, with an emphasis on the fields of “social sciences, business and law”, “engineering, manufacturing and construction” and “health and welfare”. However, at a more disaggregated level, a mismatch in the sub-areas of “teacher training and education science” and “computing” was found since labour market needs are much greater than graduates by HEIs and the two variables are moving in opposite directions.Practical implicationsThe study has revealed important aspects that the educational policy should take into account in order to create the conditions for a gradual adjustment to the labour market needs. Also, the results demonstrate that some measures should be taken in short/medium term to avoid problems in the medium/long term.Originality/valueOne implication of this empirical study was the elaboration of a correspondence table to standardise the data analysis units from two different sources. As this correspondence did not exist prior to this study, this output is a relevant contribution to the research field. Another important contribution is the demonstration of a mismatch in some educational sub-areas that deserves special attention from educational policymakers.

Location Guided System of Training Solutions and Learning Itineraries Based on Competences Adapted to Users’ Needs

2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 37-46
Author(s):  
Jose López-Ruiz ◽  
Pablo Lara-Navarra ◽  
Enric Serradell-Lopez ◽  
Josep Antoni Martínez-Aceituno
Keyword(s):  
Labour Market ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Learning Needs ◽  
Starting Position ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Model Of Competency ◽  
Market Needs ◽  
Training Expectations ◽  
The University ◽  
And Training

Competency design stands out among the methodological and educational model changes introduced by the EHEA (European Higher Education Area). This concept is a key factor when developing programs based on academic and professional profiles that respond to social and labour market needs. The UOC eLearning GPS is based on competences and is meant to reduce the gap between formal training and the reality of the labour market and social needs that traditionally has characterized the university. These aspects are the basis of this application. Using a language of competences, the application helps the students identify their main skills and capacities, as well as areas of improvement. Following the model of competency design, this tool helps the user detect and reduce the gap between a starting position of competence and his or her learning and training expectations. UOC eLearning GPS application offers solutions and learning itineraries closer to the user’s real learning needs.

scholarly journals Skill gap analysis and training needs in Indian aerospace industry

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 115
Author(s):  
Premkumar Balaraman ◽  
Priya Kamalakannan
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Aerospace Industry ◽  
Training Needs ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Skills Gap ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Skill Gaps ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
And Training ◽  
Indian Scenario

Purpose: The main objective of the paper is on assessing the global aerospace industry as well as Indian scenario, and attempts to assess the skill gaps and training needs of Indian aerospace industry.  Design/methodology/approach: The study is qualitative in nature, and employs wide array of qualitative tools which includes desktop study, focus group interviews and secondary sources of information. Around 10 focus groups were used in the study, with each focus group having a minimum of 6 members of experts in the aerospace and allied industries. The study evolved into a 2 staged one, with the first study elucidating the growing importance and potential of aerospace industry, justifying the significance to take forward the second part of the study. And the second study specifically focuses on skill gaps and training needs.Findings and Originality/value: The Study yields varied results on existing generic expectations of aerospace industry, specific needs of aerospace industry, identification of aerospace job categories unique to aerospace industry, key issues of training in Indian scenario and recommendations. The paper in summary reflects the current scenario of aerospace industry potentials for India and its likely impact on skills gap and training needs.Practical implications: Skills gap is a significant gap between an organization’s current capabilities and the skills it needs to achieve its goals. As a number of Global forecasts project, India as an emerging aviation market, the skill gaps in this sector is predicted to be huge and necessitates the study on assessing the skill gaps and its allied training needs.Originality/value: The Study is highly original and first one of its kind in reflecting the current situation of the skills gap and training needs in Indian Aerospace industry. The focus group interviews were conducted with the experts at various levels in the industyr without any bias yielding valid and realtime data for the research.

scholarly journals Opening universities’ doors for business? Marketization, the search for differentiation and employability in England

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
NICCOLO DURAZZI
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Labour Market ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Competitive Environment ◽  
Educational Provision ◽  
Education Market ◽  
Key Driver ◽  
Market Needs ◽  
Higher Education Market

Abstract The article investigates the causes and consequences of the increased engagement of British universities with employability and skills initiatives. By employing case studies of six universities based in England, it asks whether the increased engagement between higher education and the labour market is driven by universities or business and whether such engagement has increased the diversity of the higher education sector. Findings suggest that the alignment between labour market needs and educational provision in universities is strongly mediated by the competitive environment within which higher education institutions have been operating since the late 1990s: the higher education market – not the labour market – is the key driver for universities to engage in employability and skills initiatives. The article also questions the assumption that ‘competition’ leads to ‘differentiation’ in higher education. Rather, isomorphic tendencies seem to prevail over differentiation in the context of a highly competitive higher education market.

Linking Active Living and Nutrition Counselling: Dietitians’ Perceptions

2004 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 154-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. Spidel ◽  
Marie-Claude Paquette ◽  
J. Dru Marshall ◽  
Rhonda C. Bell ◽  
Linda J. McCargar
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Active Living ◽  
Registered Dietitians ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Perceived Needs ◽  
Nutrition Counselling ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Professional Perceptions ◽  
And Training

Healthy eating and active living have become key concepts in health promotion, and, increasingly, the two messages are being combined. Dietitians are in an ideal position to promote physical activity as an adjunct to nutrition counselling. Focus group interviews were used to identify dietitians’ perceptions and needs related to incorporating active living messages into their practices. Six focus groups, involving 42 participants (40 registered dietitians and two dietetic interns), were conducted in cities throughout Alberta. Issues explored during the interviews included the dietitian's role in promoting active living, barriers to promoting physical activity, opportunities for collaboration between dietitians and exercise professionals, and dietitians’ perceived needs for integrating active living messages into their practices effectively. Findings indicate strong support for incorporating active living messages into nutrition counselling. However, lack of knowledge was identified as a barrier to dietitians’ proactive role, and concerns were raised about public and professional perceptions if dietitians counselled on this issue. Participants felt that they required additional knowledge and training in physical activity in order to promote it effectively. Development and implementation of programs designed to meet these needs would help dietitians integrate active living messages into their practices.

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