‘Restructuring Work and Labour in
the New Economy’ - Research Alliance
(Initiatives in the New Economy Program)
- Summary of Proposed Project -
Title:
“Education Credentials / Skills Recognition in the New Economy”
Domain:
# 3 – ‘Education and Training’
Principal Investigators:
Jorge Garcia-Orgales, Representative - Research Department
United Steelworkers of America
Canadian National Office
234 Eglinton Ave. E., Suite 800
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4P 1K7
t: (416) 544-5960
f: (416) 487-9308
e:
Peter H. Sawchuk, Assistant Professor
Department of Sociology & Equity Studies in Education
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
University of Toronto
252 Bloor Street West
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1V6
t: (416) 923-6641, ext.2294
f: (416) 926-4751
e:
Research Objectives
The general objective of the study is to compare the promises of learning opportunities and skill development in the new economy with the reality of a range of different workers in the GTA.
A specific objective is to understand the needs of workers occupying seemingly‘dead-end jobs’, and the means through which these workers can develop satisfying and productive career trajectories. We are particularly interested in studying the role of foreign credential recognition (or lack there of), and its affects on workers achieving their preferred career trajectory.
Core research questions will complement those associated with the overall purpose of the ‘Restructuring Work and Labour in the New Economy’ Research Alliance, as well as those linked directly to Domain 3 ‘Education and Training’. Our project will answer the following four questions:
1) What are the levels of prior schooling credentials amongst selected USWA members?
2) What are the current patterns of learning amongst these USWA members?
3) How are prior educational credentials and current patterns of work-based learning related to knowledge/skill use?
4) What factors account for the development of ‘preferred career trajectories’ and learning practice amongst USWA members?
Research methodology
The project will carry out research led by USWA member/researchers themselves in consultation with the principal investigators. We will train for and use relevant interviewing techniques and provide equipment and skills for analyzing the findings. One graduate student will also assist in data gathering and analysis as well. Special attention will be paid to exploring diverse experiences based on gender, race/ethnicity, age, seniority, occupation, and prior education.
Research Team
The research team will be co-lead by Jorge Garcia-Orgales (Representative – Research Department of USWA) and Dr. Peter H. Sawchuk (Assistant Professor, Sociology & Equity Studies, University of Toronto). The research builds on previous individual (Sawchuk, 2000, 2001, 2003, in press; Garcia-Orgales, 1992; Garcia-Orgales, J., Lazure, D. and Martin, D., 2001) and collaborative work between the two leaders (Sawchuk, Garcia-Orgales, Martin, 2001). Sawchuk has researched and published extensively on the subject of work, learning and trade union development over the past ten years, while Garcia-Orgales has been a leading researcher, worker educator and activist in the labour movement within Canada and elsewhere for over three decades.