VET and social capital: a paper on the contribution of the VET sector to social capital in communities

Abstract

This paper has been prepared to encourage discussion of the vocational education and training (VET) contribution to social capital and the implications of this concept for VET policy and practice. It uses a definition that draws attention to the three key elements: the networks which link people in communities for joint action, the norms and values that bind these networks, and the significance of these components for the culture of a community. The paper distinguishes bonding, bridging, and linking forms of social capital. It argues that the VET contribution to social capital could, in principle, relate to each of these sources of social capital, although at present this contribution is more developed in some of these areas than in others. The paper identifies and discusses eight types of VET contribution to social capital. These types are: (1) building social capital in firms; (2) building networks of businesses, especially in the small business sector; (3) developing employability skills which contribute to social capital in both firms and civil society; (4) fostering values and norms that underpin social capital; (5) contributing to inclusive and cohesive communities through equity strategies for disadvantaged groups; (6) initiating and contributing to learning community initiatives; (7) innovating in the use of information and communication technology to build virtual communities; and (8) contributing to civil society as a good citizen.