Tarja Tikkanen

Learning at work in technology intensive environments

Reports on research which examined informal learning at work in two technology intensive SMEs. While learning was continuous and active, depending on the branch and level of job experience, stimulus to learning and competence development varied. The study suggested there are advantages from a more systematic organizing of learning in the workplace.

Lifelong Learning and Skills Development in the Context of Innovation Performance

Thematically this article is located at the intersection of three broader topics: the changing demographics in the workplaces, particularly workforce ageing; jobrelated skills and competence, and; learning, creativity and innovation for individual and societal productivity and prosperity. The starting point here is the situation in which the proportion of ageing workers (40-plus) in workplaces is increasing.

The developing field of workplace learning and the contribution of PIAAC

ABSTRACT There has been a prolific production of research papers on workplace learning (WPL) during the last two decades. Several reviews of the field discuss the development of themes, the use of foundational terms and some different models and frameworks have been developed. The purpose of this article is to analyse the recent development of the field of WPL, as presented in research literature, and to evaluate the potential of international survey data from the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) to contribute to this development. Our study is organised in three stages. Firstly, we summarise the main topics and trends emerging from recent literature on WPL. Secondly, we analyse how peer-reviewed publications using data from the OECD PIAAC survey have contributed to WPL. Thirdly, we compare and discuss the different contributions and make some suggestions as to how PIAAC survey data might be used to further develop our understanding of WPL.

A Small Step Strategy to Boost Integration of Digital Technology in Learning and Teaching at an Upper-Secondary School

This article presents a case study from one upper-secondary school, analyzing a small-step development strategy to intensify integration of digital technology in learning and teaching in the school. As all schools in Norway, also this one has gradually increased their pedagogic use of the new artefacts, digital tools and media, in the classrooms, with an ultimate goal to facilitate and promote learning among pupils.

Participation in job-related lifelong learning among well-educated employees in the Nordic countries

Abstract The purpose of this study was to explore participation in job-related lifelong learning (LLL) among well-educated mature workers and compare it across four Nordic countries. Although this group generally is very active in LLL, the centrality of knowledge work in society, rapid pace of skills-renewal and rising learning demands for all qualifications levels, necessitates a better understanding of the patterns and factors affecting their skill development. The paper builds on theories of learning motivation, human capital and workplace learning. Data from the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC) by the OECD were used. In addition to high participation rates, systematic level differences in participation were found across the countries. Results of logit regression analyses revealed clear differences between countries in the models that explained participation, which gave limited support to a single ‘Nordic model’ of LLL. Furthermore, the predictors of participation commonly found among adult populations, low-educated individuals and/or younger adults, appeared less valid for well-educated individuals.

Social Partners: out with Early Exit, in with Learning and Career Development for Senior Employees?

The purpose of the paper is to present findings from a Nordic survey on social partners’ policy and practice in regards of the older workers. The survey aimed to find out to what extent the social partners have developed policies and outlined strategies, which explicitly address the demographic change and promote opportunities for lifelong learning and career development among their senior members (45+). The survey was carried out as a part of the work in the network Older workers in the Nordic countries (Own) supported by the Nordic Council. The findings showed, on one hand, that while some social partners have started very good work, for many others the issues of lifelong learning and opportunities for career development for older workers are not on their agenda. The study concludes that there is a need for a more active approach from social partners to provide support and encouragement for learning and development for their senior members. L’articolo si propone di presentare i risultati di un’indagine condotta nei paesi nordici sulle prassi e le politiche delle parti sociali rivolte ai lavoratori anziani. L’indagine ha mirato a indagare in quale misura le parti sociali abbiano sviluppato politiche e delineato strategie che esplicitamente affrontano la questione del cambiamento demografico e promuovono opportunita di formazione continua e di sviluppo di carriera per i loro membri piu anziani (+45). L’indagine rientra nel programma di lavoro del network Older workers in the Nordic countries (Own), con il sostegno del Nordic Council. I risultati hanno mostrato, da un lato, che mentre alcune parti sociali hanno avviato un buon lavoro su questi temi, molte altre non includono le questioni della formazione continua e delle opportunita di carriera dei lavoratori anziani nel proprio programma di lavoro. Lo studio giunge alla conclusione che vi e la necessita di un approccio piu attivo delle parti sociali per fornire supporto e incoraggiare la formazione e lo sviluppo per i propri membri piu anziani.

Innovationsfähigkeit und Produktivität – Was hat der demografische Wandel damit zu tun?

In diesem Artikel werden Innovation und Produktivitat im Verhaltnis zur demografischen Entwicklung besprochen, insbesondere zur Alterung der Arbeitskrafte und zu den moglichen Folgen fur den Arbeitsmarkt, fur die personellen Ressourcen, das lebenslange Lernen und die Innovationsfahigkeit. Einen Ausgangspunkt bildet dabei das allgemein angenommene Missverhaltnis zwischen Innovationsfahigkeit und alteren Arbeitnehmern. In diesem Artikel wird die Frage untersucht, was der demografische Wandel mit der Innovationsfahigkeit zu tun hat. Die Antwort bleibt im besten Falle unklar. Sie hangt davon ab, wie wir die demografischen Herausforderungen meistern. Das Potenzial fur den Wohlstand ist vorhanden – aber auch das Potenzial fur Gefahren. Das Festhalten an traditionellen Auffassungen, ob an Innovation und Innovatoren, an lebenslanges Lernen und an die Kompetenzentwicklung oder an die Beschaftigung und die berufliche Entwicklung in der zweiten Lebenshalfte, fuhrt unausweichlich zur Ansicht, dass mit der weiteren Alterung der Bevolkerung massive Probleme drohen. Die Tatsache, dass die demografische Situation bereits heute klar ist, und speziell, was die nachsten 40 Jahre betrifft, ist historisch gesehen einzigartig. Und tatsachlich erfordert jede Reaktion, die zur Losungssuche fur die Herausforderungen durch die Alterung der Arbeitskrafte und deren Folgen beitragt, selbst innovatives Denken.