'STREAMING' AT WORK AND COLLEGE: ON THE SOCIAL DIFFERENTIATION OF CRAFT AND TECHNICIAN APPRENTICES IN TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

This paper explores one dimension of change within technical education, namely the recent growth and influence of technician education upon apprentice relations. Here, some of the underlying factors which affect the social dittereatiation of craft and technician apprentices within Further Education will be examined? The main argument suggests that particular assumptions concerning the apprentices' social rather than technical abilities have marked effect upon their inter-personal relations at both college and work. It is also argued that often inter-union and shop floor antagonisms between craftsmen and technicians not only bear the imprint of certain prior educational experiences associated with training, but also find expression within the social framework of Further Education. In this respect FE cannot be seen as separate from the work situation. Despite criticism of the lack of correspondence between technical courses and the practical skills required 'on the job', it will be argued here that the social rather than the technical connection between FE and industry assumes a role of greater importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]