Between Choices and Challenges: The Narratives of School-to-work Transitions of Low-income Vocational Youths in Singapore

Conference: The Asian Conference on Education (ACE2022)
Title: Between Choices and Challenges: The Narratives of School-to-work Transitions of Low-income Vocational Youths in Singapore
Stream: Learning Experiences, Student Learning & Learner Diversity
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Authors:
Siao See Teng, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Abstract:

School-to-work transition has been a significant concern when it comes to the discussion of social equality and strengthening such transitions are traditionally regarded as a means to improve social mobility (OECD 2018). While much of the school-to-work transitions literature are based on European and North American contexts, Asian contexts are under-represented. Seen as a top-performing education system in international assessments such as PISA and also having a comparatively lower rate of resident youth unemployment at 7.3% (MOM 2021), Singapore has much to offer in the field of school-to-work transition. This paper analyses the life trajectories and school-to-work transitions of Singapore vocational youths from low income backgrounds. It deliberates on their choices and decision-making processes considering the complex interplay of factors like relational capital, institutional habitus, structured opportunities, dispositions and challenges (Cuconato and Walther 2015). It contributes not only to filling a gap in research on vocational education but also school-to-work transitions in Singapore more generally. With vocational routes associated with youths with limited financial means (Lehmann 2005), it also provides insights into the resilience of such youths in Singapore over time, and more broadly the relationship between educational reforms and social mobility. The paper, together with another two submitted symposium papers on minority vocational students and narratives of success respectively, is based on a qualitative study that adopts a life course approach and an adapted biographical narrative interview method (BNIM) to investigate the life pathways and school-to-work transitions of three cohorts of vocational youths in Singapore across the decades.

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