Structure & agency in process operator student mobilities

• Main Author: Earle, Jessica
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Memorial University of Newfoundland 2017
• Subjects: Newfoundland; Long Harbour
• Online Access: https://research.library.mun.ca/12617/; https://research.library.mun.ca/12617/1/thesis.pdf

This research project is a study of structure and agency in the education-related mobilities of women and men participating in a trades-related course, Process Operator, designed to increase the provincial labour pool for natural resource industry megaprojects like Vale’s nickel processing plant in Long Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador. Using a biographical approach (Ni Laoire, 2000), student mobilities are seen as structured by the attraction of students into other skilled trades, the promotion by government initiatives, the organization of educational funding, and influences from family and friends. Agency in student mobilities is facilitated by financial and social resources mainly from parental support. Responsibilities for accomplishing mobility are left to family and individual resources, and there should be improvements made to providing government support to Process Operator students, graduates and Blue Seal trades workers.