The process of developing new competences: a case study at a family agricultural production unit

Abstract

[…] allows us to comprehend human activity and explain how workers avoid making errors, anticipate dysfunction, how they correct for it, which stages of the task they consider most important, how they deal with unexpected events, detect and diagnose problems, and organize their activities in both normal and critical situations. AbstractThis article addresses the difficulties faced by farmers who implement new production methods on their land. We discuss the nature of the new competences that farmers must develop, highlighting the complexities of the means they use, the difficulties they confront in this process, and the strategies farmers develop in consonance with the practical knowledge of their profession. The method used includes elements of Ergonomic Work Analysis combined with a case study. Le Boterf's model of the process of constructing competences is used to support the data analysis. The discussion is organized based on an analysis of the evolution of consolidated competences that are re-elaborated for a new agricultural production. The analysis of the strategies and operational modes is introduced, and their contribution to the development of new competences is noted, thus enriching the model proposed by Le Boterf. It is essential to understand the cognitive processes, strategies, and operating modes involved in the development of competences. This procedure provides mechanisms that preserve the opportunity for observation of significant variables in managing variability to be included in the transformation or evolution of work situations and to define the activities that workers will perform.

A Colheita Manual de Tomate: Entre a Prescrição e os Saberes Tácitos

“…Para realizar a atividade laboral é necessário que o trabalhador organize e use seu repertório de conhecimentos. Quando há um problema a ser resolvido ou uma decisão a ser tomada, o indivíduo constrói uma arquitetura cognitiva específica, a qual, de natureza combinada a outras competências, produz discernimento e recursos para aplicação do conhecimento (Montedo, 2012;Montedo & Abrahão, 2015).…”

“…O trabalho agrícola é caracterizado por tarefas pouco estruturadas que muitas vezes exigem esforço físico considerável, posturas desconfortáveis, condições ambientais instáveis, exposição a produtos químicos, sazonalidade e manuseio de vários equipamentos ao mesmo tempo, o que gera uma grande variedade de riscos aos quais os trabalhadores se expõem (Montedo & Abrahão, 2015;Fathallah, 2010).…”