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Discussions with three groups of further education students in Britain explored their orientations toward study, their responses to vocationalism, and the processes influencing their emerging identities as learners. The processes were linked with the global context of education. (SK)

The pessimistic conclusions of studies of vocational education/training conducted within a framework of reproduction theory contrast with the policy literature's faith in the promise of a high trust/high skill society. The transformation of society and social relations is unlikely to occur in a capitalist system. (SK)

Post-Fordism, a high-skills/high-trust economy/society, has transformative and emancipatory possibilities. However, exploitation and oppression are conveniently ignored. Education that focuses on critical and collective intelligence celebrates human potential. (SK)

British students enrolled in a pre-vocational Certificate of Further Education (CFE) program were interviewed to determine their attitudes towards and views of the program. The students were very committed to the program because they saw it as a means to an end, e.g., as a way to enter another course. (RM)