Educating for Vocational Excellence

Abstract

This chapter reviews current research into educating for vocational excellence. It distinguishes between two conceptualizations of excellence, the world skills and the neo-Aristotelian, and pursues research connected to the latter. The neo-Aristotelian approach to excellence characterizes it as a combination of practical wisdom and virtues, sometimes with further additions. The review identifies three major trends in this research: one focusing on establishing conceptual frameworks for cultivating vocational excellence, one focusing on the development of virtues in practice, and the final one developing out of a narrative approach to practical wisdom and excellence. It identifies possibilities for more systematic combinations of these different approaches. The lack of more systematic research in the field is also discussed, especially regarding comparative and evaluative inquiries, the exception being, perhaps, the field of narrative medicine. The conclusion is that the research field is comparatively young, most work being post 2000, but that there has been significant growth since then. The review lays a foundation for both future inquiry and practice development to proceed with greater self-awareness and understanding of the potentials inherent in the excellence aspect of vocational education and training.