From ‘traditional professions’ to ‘new professionalism’: A multi-level perspective for analysing professionalisation in adult and continuing education

Abstract

Within the discourse about the professionalisation of adult and continuing education, an extensive discussion about how adult and continuing education can become a profession has taken place. Based on ‘classic professionalisation theories’, which are guided by the concept of ‘traditional professionals’, this discussion was about the fulfilment of specific attributes, and profession was considered in terms of its role in society. In the last two decades, this perspective has changed, and theoretical and empirical approaches now focus on the ‘professionalism’ of adult educators. This development is linked to extensive transformations in the modern working world, in which professionalism is considered a sign of quality. These changes and their influence on professionalisation were already discussed in terms of a sociology of professions and the ‘new professionalism’ approach – but researchers in adult and continuing education have so far made little use of this perspective. This paper is analysing the discourse around ‘new professionalism’ for its adaptability in adult and continuing education. Based on this analysis, it proposes a multi-level perspective for analysing professionalisation in adult and continuing education.