The concept of mimetic learning at work is outlined and elaborated in this text. That
elaboration consists of an account of how securing occupational capacities has been primary
associated with learning processes and an explanation of those processes. Much and probably
most of the learning and development across individuals working lives occurs outside of
circumstances of direct guidance or instruction. Yet recent considerations of individuals'
epistemologies and developments form anthropology and cognitive science suggest that current
explanations about individuals' contributions to learning at and through work are incomplete.
So there is need for an emphasis on individuals' processes of learning both within and
outside of situations of guidance by more experienced workers needs to be more fully
understood and accepted as being person dependent. Contributions from anthropology
developmental studies and cognitive neuroscience now augment those from sociocultural theory.
