5.2. The challenge of situated learning
Learning in a work situation involves facing diverse dynamic
and iterative daily events. An actual work situation is often changing
and unforeseeable and requires the development of nuanced
approaches. While the apprentices reported experiencing diverse
operational scenarios across the production variation, the experienced
co-workers normally taught only one technique, which
was generally their own preferred approach and applied to one
typical case. However, in practice, apprentices must develop different
techniques adapted to them and to the task variety. Examples
provided in this section come from one apprentice and three ECs,
in three trades (inventory clerk, butcher and cook’s assistant).
A6: It’s a business where people come and always have different
requests; orders change constantly [...], so you have to program
different types of paper, colors [...], etc. Some clients are regular,
so you learn what they need.
Int: What can you say to apprentices to support them with learning
this task?
EC2: To follow a technique that helps them to work faster [...] to
find a technique, no matter which one, that works well for them
This dynamic sequencing of various work situations led to
opportunistic or incidental learning, where unexpected or unusual
situations became a source of learning. The richness of being
exposed to a range of variability is, however, a double-edged
sword. It can support the development of a range of adaptable
knowledge and know-how, but it can also place young workers
at risk of making poor decisions if not well supervised.
A6: I noticed that it may be linked to electric current... when both
printers work at the same time, I suspect that the electric power
lowered [in this case, to fix this problem, he manipulated a hot
wire inside the machine and burnt his finger].
Incidental learning appeared to play an important role in OHS.
Several apprentices reported that feeling pain or experiencing an
injury, even minor, led them to develop new techniques or strategies
to avoid reoccurrences. The experienced co-workers also
admitted these injuries were unfortunately a frequent way to
learn, and probably more efficient that being taught to take care.
EC5: He cut his finger big time recently, and he needed 6 stiches. It’s
the way to learn, now he knows!
Work conditions are also learning conditions for new workers.
In some cases, poor or painful work conditions were barriers to
learning. Examples included damaged tools, devices that were
not user-friendly, workplace layout, physical environment, tasks
and requirements (such as speed or quality), and physical and
mental workload.
EC3: I hate this machine, it’s a real shit, it’s cheap, too small, it
doesn’t work well. It’s the third time we changed this machine in
one year.
EC5: There is always a way to reduce effort, but it remains that
the job is the same. I often say, check the table, be sure that it’s settled
at the best height. Most pain symptoms are related to the
table.
In an actual workplace setting, dealing with diversity, facing
unexpected events, and coping with suboptimal work conditions
can lead to the development of innovative skills that are different
from those in formal training program stipulations (program competencies,
evaluation criteria, requirements). The development of
appropriate in situ responses corresponds to learning regulation