Changing Workplace Environments, Conceptions, and Patterns of Learning: Implications for University Teaching

This chapter is contextualised in globalisation, new capitalism, knowledge and change in the workplace. There is a great deal of current literature describing globalisation and the new capitalism. It is asserted that economic competitiveness in the workplace now depends on new skills, knowledge and technological change. This has implications for workers in terms of constant learning and adapting to change. In this chapter, we describe conceptions of learning and work and the experience of change through the voices of workers. The conceptions of learning and work are based on a study in two workplaces of older and younger workers. The perspectives of change, adaptations to it and descriptions of learning paths are also derived from the interviews. The implications of the findings for the provision by universities of opportunities for further learning are also considered