‘Action learning’ among unskilled women workers

Abstract

This action research resulted from a twin concern: that of company management to give its personnel the possibility of development through training, and that of the research team to promote the workers’ demand for better working conditions. This dual objective took shape in the following way. The training would be given during working hours on company premises. It would involve natural groups of workers and the purpose of the training was to deal with daily problems experienced by each group whilst at work. The groups would be given the chance to work out proposals for improvements which they could submit to management, with the promise either of action, or an explanation to the group why this action could not be implemented. The researchers were facilitators in collecting information and helping the group make decisions.

Those responsible for the study described in this paper are Georges Becouart, Thérèse Leconte, Rémi Ouachee, and Alfred Polveche.