Research evidence has also pointed to the link between aspirations and social inclusion outcomes, such as participating in the community. Figure 3.1 captures this relationship in the context of education and employment aspirations. Figure 3.1: Framework for understanding aspirations and outcomes Source: Adapted from Burchardt, T. The educational and occupational aspirations of (2004) ‘Aiming high: young disabled Support for Learning, Vol.19, No.4, p.183. people’. Some Inquiry participants suggested a link between aspirations, human capital and social inclusion. Human capital refers to the set of abilities and ‘unique acquired that each person possesses and that is of value to others in the skills’ community.4 The concept is often used in the context of skills gained through education and a increased employability. It person’s is also has relevance to disability. A variety of personal attributes, abilities and skills will Human capital—the determine the human capital of a person with collective skills, knowledge, disability and their potential to be socially included. or other intangible assets of Aspirations are a driver of human capital. Having individuals that can be used goals and the desire to pursue them are contributing to create value for the factors in successfully achieving them. One individuals, their employers, research study suggests that is a ‘aspiration capital’ or their community. form of human capital and that an important role, in part ‘ambition plays influenced by environmental factors (eg real opportunities) and by personal traits.’5 In 2005, the Policy Research Initiative in Canada identified the value of human capital in building the capacity of people to achieve their aspirations, stating that: N. Gao, K. Gill, L. Schmidt et al. (2010) application of human capital theory in vocational rehabilitation for ‘The 4 individuals with mental Vol. 32, No. 1 (25–33), p.25. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, illness’. J. Douglass (2010) a culture of aspiration: Higher education, human capital and social Procedia ‘Creating change’. 5 Vol. 2, No. 5 (6981–95), p.6985. Social and Behavioral Sciences 2,
Research evidence has also pointed to the link between aspirations and social inclusion outcomes, such as participating in the community. Figure 3.1 captures this relationship in the context of education and employment aspirations. Figure 3.1: Framework for understanding aspirations and outcomes Source: Adapted from Burchardt, T. (2004) ‘Aiming high: The educational and occupational aspirations of young disabled people’. Support for Learning, Vol.19, No.4, p.183. Some Inquiry participants suggested a link between aspirations, human capital and social inclusion. Human capital refers to the ‘unique set of abilities and acquired skills’ that each person possesses and that is of value to others in the community.4 The concept is often used in the context of skills gained through education and a person’s increased employability. It is also has relevance to disability. A variety of personal attributes, abilities and skills will determine the human capital of a person with disability and their potential to be socially included. Aspirations are a driver of human capital. Having goals and the desire to pursue them are contributing factors in successfully achieving them. One research study suggests that ‘aspiration capital’ is a Human capital—the collective skills, knowledge, or other intangible assets of individuals that can be used to create value for the individuals, their employers, or their community. form of human capital and that ‘ambition plays an important role, in part influenced by environmental factors (eg real opportunities) and by personal traits.’5 In 2005, the Policy Research Initiative in Canada identified the value of human capital in building the capacity of people to achieve their aspirations, stating that: 4 N. Gao, K. Gill, L. Schmidt et al. (2010) ‘The application of human capital theory in vocational rehabilitation for individuals with mental illness’. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, Vol. 32, No. 1 (25–33), p.25. 5 J. Douglass (2010) ‘Creating a culture of aspiration: Higher education, human capital and social change’. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences 2, Vol. 2, No. 5 (6981–95), p.6985.