Developing competence identity
Studying young students’ future images
Keywords:
competence, competence identitity, vocational education and training, youthAbstract
The article examines the meanings of vocational competence and competence development in young students’ images of their own future and working life. As our theoretical framework we utilize the concept of competence identity. As our data we utilize vocational students’ imagined stories in which they describe their desirable future and themselves as future professionals.
According to our analysis, the development of students’ competence is encouraged by two strives: striving for adulthood and for vocational recognition. Our research shows that a key factor for competence development is to become an independent individual and to be able to carry on the roles of an adult in the society. Another key factor for competence development is the strive of gaining and giving recognition as a valued member of vocational communities.
As a new finding, we claim that the development of competence for young students is a strongly social and socially motivated phenomenon. It opens a social pedagogical perspective to analyze and understand competence and competence development in youth.
