“In the workplace, 'workers’ experiential learning becomes human capital with great potential economic benefits for the organization” with no attention give to the workers’ dignity and freedom” (Fenwick, 2003, pg 90, from “Learning in Adulthood” p 184)
As an English major, I had a brief introduction to feminist, Marxist and new historicist thinking. I had mixed feelings with these approaches. I enjoyed experiencing the intellectual agility as you try on different thinking hats. The mixed feelings came in where I thought that the theories became overly simplistic and reductionist.
I found those same emotions arising around Fenwick’s perspective regarding training and work place oppression. I think perhaps this passage is taken out of context – maybe the authors are referring to Kathy Lee’s sweat shops or something. Or maybe it is the relatively privileged life I lead on a world wide perspective and my naivety of the struggles of those who don’t live the life I do. Nonetheless, I felt angered and knew that I needed to explore this some more.
My role in my organization is mainly to balance the need for a formal curriculum and learning resources while trying to create an informal learning environment that can be tracked and measured, all driven by government regulation. I hope that learning in the workplace is enjoyable to the extent that the learner is a good fit for the job, the materials are well designed, address motivation issues and the instructor versed in proven instructional methods.
I don’t kid myself that on the job training is fully altruistic in nature – its for the company and indirectly, for the learner, who hopefully earns a fair salary and livelihood for the job they are trained to do. Experiential learning should and does happen on the job, but you need to make sure all the basics are fully covered. Hopefully, the learner’s needs and the company’s needs align somehow. To espouse theories around workplace training as an unfair power structure strike me as extremely naive. Or maybe I just happen to work for a good company who treats their workers pretty well. Hmm… maybe I’m the naïve one.
