Occupational transitions as a relational project

• Published in: Studies in continuing education 2012-07, Vol.34 (2), p.83-98
• Main Author: Hallqvist, Anders
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult education; Biographical learning; Career Change; Career Choice; Comparative Analysis; Decision making; Dislocated Workers; Education Work Relationship; Foreign Countries; Granovetter (MS); Informal Education; Interpersonal Relationship; Labor Market; Learning; Learning Processes; Midlife transitions; outplacement; Outplacement Services (Employment); Personal relationships; Redundant workers; Social Capital; Social conditions & trends; Social Networks; social relations; social support; Student engagement; Transitions; work transitions
• ISSN: 0158-037X; 1470-126X; 1470-126X
• DOI: 10.1080/0158037X.2011.610300

Looking at 'biographical learning' as part of a work transition, the aim of this paper is to investigate how social relations enable and constrain such a learning process in outplacement clients. To examine the process, its character and social conditions, the study draws on interviews with workers who had been made redundant and were enrolled at an outplacement agency. The interviews were analysed using a comparative cross-case analysis. A distinction was made between 'strong' (long-term and intimate), 'weak' (short-term and non-intimate) and 'formal' (e.g., professional counsellors) relations. Findings showed that strong and formal relations were rather influential on people's engagement in biographical learning while weak relations were important to the straightforward career. Since transitions in late modern society has become not only a passage but also a learning option, the different sources and functions of social relations should be considered a vital part of outplacement counselling. Future research should examine more closely both parties in strong relationships and the (joint) process of career decision-making inherent in occupational transitions.