British coalminers’ historical experiences of education and training: an oral history

This paper focuses on British coalminers’ historical experiences of education and training. It draws on data from an oral history project to present the stories of five men, all of whom undertook significant programmes of post-compulsory education during their employment or immediately after leaving the coal industry. The paper also compares and contrasts their experiences with those which now exist in former coalmining communities which, it is argued, have significantly diminished over time, especially for young men. Whilst it is apparent that individual choice and motivation can play an important role in helping (or hindering) young people’s trajectories through education and employment, the central argument of the paper is that individual labour market success lies at the intersection of structure and agency – although it is clear that the opportunities for education and work available to young men in Britain’s former coalfields have been deleteriously affected by de-industrialisation.
 
Robin Simmons is Professor of Education at the University of Bolton and Director of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust. His research interests lie in the history and sociology of education, especially in relation to post-compulsory education and training.