Lifelong Learning for Capability

Len Cairns, PhD, FRSA, has been an Academic in Australia for over 40 years. He worked in pioneering Teacher Education innovations at the University of Sydney from 1971 to 1985 with major Research and Development projects in Sydney Micro Skills, the Practicum, and the Supervision Development Programme. He also completed extensive research on schools and children in the NSW Disadvantaged Far West Area (all works published by Sydney University Press). Len is retired from full-time work but remains at Monash University after 28 years as an Associate Dean, as an Adjunct Associate professor and continues to publish and work in Not-For-Profit Community organisations, at Board level in Aged Care and Health organisations. Len also continues to publish on Capability and TVET and is an Associate Editor and reviewer for international Journals.Margaret Malloch, PhD, FRSA, is an Honorary Professor, Victoria University. She is a member of the Vocational Education and Training Network Board of the European Educational Research Association, the International Journal for Research in Vocational Education and Training, and the Australian Council of Deans of Education Vocational Education Group. She is a past Chair of the AERA Workplace Learning Special Interest Group and a Coordinator of VETNET. Her research and publication interests include work and learning, doctoral education and vocational education and training.

“In Lifelong Learning for Capability, Cairns and Malloch present a compelling and timely exploration of human learning with a central focus on capability. … this book offers fresh perspectives on a topic of universal importance. Lifelong learning remains a universal value advocated across nations and international organizations.” (Yifan Mao, Journal of International and Comparative Education, Vol. 14 (1), 2025)

• Introduction.- What are Humans Learning for?.- Dimensions of Learning.- Competence, Competencies and Capability: Does the Difference Matter?.- Learning for Lifelong Capability: In Formal Learning Locations (Schools, VET and Higher Education).- Learning for Lifelong Capability: In Informal and Different "Places".- A Capable Society - The Future.- Conclusion.