Gender-Inclusive Educational Programs for Workforce Development

Vocational and workforce education provide economic opportunity but often exclude or limit the participation of women. Here, we lay the foundation for developing workforce programming from a feminist perspective and building inclusion efforts within academic institutions for vocational education students and practitioners. Based on a systematic review of the literature, we present findings pertaining to three aspects of feminist pedagogy- career choice, care, and multiculturalism-as the basis for identifying the best practices for a feminist pedagogy of vocational education. We conclude with a discussion of the impact of the findings on the personal/social and political/structural qualities of education programs and provide an extensive and concrete checklist for vocational and workforce program administrators and educators to use when evaluating and modifying their programs for inclusive practices.