Reformed firefighter training program in Sweden: conflicting instructor conceptions of professional learning

Robert Holmgren

doi:10.3384/njvet.2242-458X.14v4i2a5

Authors

Robert Holmgren

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3384/njvet.2242-458X.14v4i2a5

Keywords:

Reformed firefighter training program

Abstract

In 2003, the content and form of Swedish firefighter training were reformed. New curricula and guidelines were implemented, instructors from different fields of knowledge were recruited and the training program was extended. In this study, 29 instructors were interviewed with a view to identifying and analyzing the salient conceptions of professional learning among them and how their conceptions have been affected by, and have affected, the implementation of the new training program. The results show that the dominant conception among fire and rescue instructors continues to be adaptation-oriented, and that it has not changed significantly, despite revised training goals and challenges from the development-oriented attitude prevalent among the risk and safety instructors. It is also shown that this fundamental contradiction between instructor conceptions is manifested in several dilemmas and conflicts during the negotiation and implementation phases of the new training program.

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