Search Results (20)

In this paper, we will analyze how a few initial vocational education and training (VET) schools have elaborated wide-ranging responses to early leaving from education and training in Liguria (Italy) and Catalonia (Spain). In contrast with many members of the EU and the OECD, the prevailing institutional arrangements in these two countries hardly support disadvantaged youths to catch up with basic academic performance and find an appealing pathway between compulsory and post-compulsory education. Despite this bias of official policies, we argue that some initial VET schools manage to navigate the interface between social structure and agency and accommodate the aspirations of disadvantaged students by involving local stakeholders and shaping school time organization in a particular way. Full article

Enhancing quality is the focus of vocational education reform, and building a quality evaluation system that is adapted to the needs of modern vocational education is an important task of vocational education reform. However, international research on quality evaluation models of vocational education has still not been explored in depth. In order to reveal the influencing factors and the relationships between them in the quality evaluation system of vocational education in China, this study establishes a theoretical model of quality evaluation of vocational education in China and tests the model. Based on in-depth interviews, this study reached the following conclusions: (1) Educational orientation is the starting and ending point of vocational education quality evaluation. The quality evaluation of vocational education in China is directly reflected through professional settings and talent training objectives; (2) the quality evaluation of vocational education in China focuses on factors external to the education system, which is an important means through which the quality of vocational education can be recognized by the public, enterprises, and industries; (3) there are internal factors influencing the quality evaluation of vocational education, namely institutional resources and evaluation system construction. In addition, strategies for vocational institutions are proposed based on the study results, suggesting that other countries should strictly regulate the settings of majors based on the real needs of industries; promote the development of technical knowledge, teaching materials, and teacher training; and explore the function of international exchange and cooperation, industry–education integration, and school–enterprise cooperation in educating people. This study provides a theoretical model for the quality evaluation of vocational education; in terms of practical value, the constructed model extends the scope of basic theory. Full article

Critical thinking has been difficult to develop in technical and vocational education and training, where acquiring practical skills is often the priority. This study looks at whether tried-and-tested methods for developing critical thinking in higher education are also effective in this educational context. To test this, an intervention was carried out as part of a compulsory, semester-long “Basic Communication Skills” class for 149 first year engineering students. This involved linking the expected learning outcomes for the course to a series of sub-skills comprising an updated definition of critical thinking. Furthermore, a set of strategies promoting active participation among students was also implemented. The proposed methodology led to improved levels of critical thinking when compared to traditional teaching methods. It was found that lessons characterized as interactive, dynamic, and encouraging active student participation facilitate the teacher’s job in the classroom and improve the development of critical thinking in a specific technical and vocational education context. Full article

Designing and implementing inclusive practices is considered one of the basic actions for the construction of inclusive education. Actions depend largely on teachers’ attitudes, which can be modified by the training they receive. This study analyzes 73 future mathematics teachers’ perceptions of the diversity training received in the Master in Compulsory Secondary Education and Post-Secondary, Vocational Training and Language Teaching (MAES), as well as their attitudes towards diversity at the University of Granada (Spain). The participants’ ages ranged from 22 to 50 years (M = 27.12, SD = 6.45); 47.9% were cisgender women and 52.1% were cisgender men. This research was a non-experimental, descriptive, and multivariate study, developed under the assumption of the quantitative methodological paradigm. The result revealed that attention to diversity should play an important role in the teachers’ future teaching practice. Nevertheless, they were dissatisfied with the initial training received, considered themselves not qualified enough to face diversity in their classrooms, and they had an ambivalent attitude toward attention to diversity. However, attitudes and educational levels were more favorable in the case of women, older participants, and among those who had had contact with people with SNES. It is concluded that it is appropriate to continue to influence the attitudes in relation to this issue, since pedagogical training on the factors that condition the teaching–learning process in terms of attention to diversity provides greater effectiveness in this field. Full article

Education represents the basic pillar of preparing individuals for integration into the labor market, but also is a crucial component of ensuring sustainable development. The purpose of this research was to identify the type of influences existing between education and the labor market in EU member countries in the context of different levels of investment in the educational system. Cluster analysis and the ordinary least squared method were used to identify the type of influences between the indicators characterizing the level of education and the labor market between 2000 and 2021. The empirical results showed that there was a significant negative correlation of the educational dropout rate with the level of employee compensation, number of hours worked by each employee, and their labor productivity, in the countries with the poorest level of educational investment. In the countries with significant investments in education, getting a graduate diploma and participating in vocational training programs led to a better compensation of employees and a higher employee productivity while the financial aid given by the state for pupils and students reduced the number of worked hours, brought down unemployment amongst people with primary and secondary education and, last but not least, increased the employment rate for higher education graduates. An average level of educational investment led to negative influences between early-stages and employees’ payment level and real labor productivity, while becoming involved in educational activities and participating in vocational training programs increased their rates of remuneration and real productivity. A significant impact of higher education graduates on both increasing unemployment rates and falling employment rates was noticed as has been identified in other studies. Full article

The Sport Education Model (SEM) presents a wide background in the teaching of Physical Education and Sport. This is one of the most studied pedagogical models in the last decade in primary and secondary education. However, the studies of this model that are implemented in Vocational Education and Training within the family of Physical Activities and Sports are limited. For this reason, the aim of the present research was to examine the effect of the application of the SEM on motivation and Basic Psychological Needs (BPN). Secondarily, the effect on the social climate of the group, the development of emotions during the intervention, or the students’ perception of possible aspects of improvement of the model were studied. A total of 50 students (19.83 ± 3.20) followed a mixed methodology for 12 sessions. To achieve the objectives, the Spanish version of the Sport Motivation Scale questionnaire and the BPN Measurement scale were used. On a qualitative level, semi-structured interviews were conducted with all participants of the study. The results showed that the SEM was very well accepted by the students, who were fully satisfied with the activity. It was also considered a fun intervention, generating good socio-affective relationships, and was useful and practical for their training as future sports coaches. The intervention seemed to have a positive effect on student motivation, although with inconsistent results in the quantitative analysis of this study. Despite the encouraging results obtained, further research is needed to deepen the effect of SE as a key model in the teaching-learning process. Full article

Sustainability plays a significant role in all levels of education. Paying attention to strategies for accessibility in educational levels is highly needed. This research aims to evaluate accessibility strategies in vocational education training (VET). It is significant to put efforts into VET to raise awareness on accessibility for the societal benefits of inclusivity and digital transformation in services for all. While preparing the educational context for digital education, accessibility strategies are essential for establishing the future of education. The study adopted the qualitative research approach and used semi-structured interviews and public reports for data collection. The sample of the study comprised the staff working at the management/administrative level in VET and at the ministry of education. Results indicated that suitable strategies are crucial for sustainability and accessibility in VET. Active citizenship for the global world requires understanding the practical sides of accessibility. In this respect, this study recommends vocational training activities based on sustainability and accessibility. To set sustainable strategies in VET, defining the proper roles and responsibilities of teachers, trainers, and staff are essential. The administrative authority, protection of school fixtures and procedures, resolving financial issues, overcoming obstacles such as quality activities, and the professional inadequacy of teacher training are basic steps for developing VET. Full article

Effective process management is a basic prerequisite for increasing the quality and performance of educational organizations. The aim of the paper is to point out the potential for the application of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Model 2020 to improve and perfect the processes in a Slovakian vocational school towards sustainability. We used the latest version of the EFQM Model and applied the questionnaire method to conduct a self-assessment. A study of the documentation was also carried out to get more insight into the processes of the school. The application of the EFQM Model 2020 pointed out weaknesses in areas such as those titled Organizational Culture, Driving Performance & Transformation, and Stakeholder Perceptions—namely, the perceptions of employees and partners. Improvements were primarily recommended in the fields of culture management to support changes, motivational processes to support creativity and innovation, human resource planning processes, employee training and development, performance indicators and performance management, and employees’ and partners’ perception measurement to enhance sustainable value for the students and key stakeholders. The paper contributes to the body of knowledge in the field of quality and performance management of Vocational Education and Training (VET) providers. Full article

This study aims to better understand students who attend Basic Vocational Training Cycles (Basic Professional Training, BTP) by implementing measures that ensure diversity. This quantitative research project approximated students’ perception of their passage through previous studies and their satisfaction and goals after finishing the school year. The sample consisted of 352 students from Cordoba (Spain). A questionnaire was used that follows the CIPP model. After exploratory factor analysis was completed with different groups of items and their descriptive analyses, various tests were carried out to consider the hypotheses (Pearson’s correlation (r), one-factor analysis of variance, and repeated ANOVA measures). The results indicate that the educational interest of the students is academic and professional. Likewise, there is no relationship detected between socio-professional goals and average academic levels and attributions with respect to repetitions of previous courses, although these goals vary depending on students’ satisfaction with the vocational cycles. We conclude that the course of the FPB influences decisions regarding academic–professional projects. Full article

The purpose of this study was to show the relationship between future academic expectations and the concepts of motivation, basic psychological needs, school social climate, and responsibility. Additionally, possible differences in future expectations were analyzed according to gender and educational stage. A total of 984 students (M = 12.87; SD = 1.84) from elementary and secondary school participated in this study. A single questionnaire composed of different scales was administered to check the values of motivation (EME), psychological need satisfaction (PNSE), school social climate (CECSCE), responsibility (PSRQ), sociodemographic differences, and a question to find out future academic expectations. Results showed that the group with the highest future expectations (do a degree or upper vocational training) had statistical differences of p < 0.001 with respect to the group with the lowest future expectations (finish compulsory secondary studies or basic vocational training and start work) and middle expectations (do a high school or middle vocational training) with regard to autonomous motivation, satisfaction of psychological needs, school and teacher climate, and social and personal responsibility. The group with the lowest expectations had higher values with respect to the other two groups in terms of amotivation (p < 0.001). Moreover, women and elementary school children had greater future academic expectations (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the promotion of basic psychological needs satisfaction, autonomous motivation, personal and social responsibility, and school social climate are related to higher academic expectations, and the improvement of these variables becomes especially important for boys and secondary students who could have a higher chance of dropping out of school. Full article

Today, farmers are multioptional entrepreneurs, demanding far more skills than only those of agricultural production. The awareness of European agricultural landscape (EAL) values should enable farmers to create new business strategies. Open education repositories (OERs) based on online vocational education and training (VET) are still not widespread. The project FEAL (multifunctional farming for the sustainability of EALs) has brought interactive material online based on results of two questionnaire surveys performed in Germany, Italy, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain. A survey of 31 experts confirmed that VET activities are very much needed for farmers. A survey of 28 farmers had different aims and content. Data collected from farmers were used to evaluate basic farm attributes, farmers’ characteristics, and keywords indicating the farms’ activities, multifunctionality and sustainability, and EALs, specifying the presence of nature- and landscape-protected areas. A decision-making schema, applying a collection of terms from literature analysis and the questionnaire’s results, is a support tool to develop a model of a farm that contributes to the preservation of the landscape’s character, strengthening the landscape’s quality, and sustainable business. The model presents the interactions of the farm (its territory and ancestral heritage, control of natural resources, tourism services and cultural events, public goods provision, and quality guarantees); socioeconomic strategies regarding quality, marketing, communication, business operation, and monitoring are proposed. Full article

The purpose of this study is to analyse the importance of student engagement in Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Spain. In accordance with this concept, we analyse how emotional engagement (relations with teachers, relations with peers, family support for learning, and perception of family commitment) influences the behavioural engagement (school effort and commitment, school indiscipline) in academic activities of students in basic and intermediate VET. The sample comprises 1180 students (65.4% male), 28.8% in basic VET and 71.2% in intermediate VET, ranging in age from 14 to 19 years. Data analysis bases on linear regression and regression trees enable the prediction of behavioural engagement according to the subdimensions of emotional engagement, sociodemographic characteristics of the subpopulations, and level of studies. Significant differences were found (t(1013.8) = 8.37, p < 0.001) for the variable of sex (a higher value in females), and variable of the level of studies (t(579.1) = 3.60, p < 0.001) in behavioural engagement. All correlations between the indicators for the behavioural and emotional dimensions were significant. The results provide favourable profiles of behavioural engagement related to having good relationships with the teaching staff, being female, and being enrolled in intermediate VET. These findings imply the reorientation of educational intervention. Full article

The main aim of the present study is to adapt the academic motivation scale (AMS) for use within basic vocational training and university students. Another aim was to analyze the characteristics of the different dimensions of motivation, whilst also examining existing significant differences between the two studied educational stages. For this, we conducted exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, alongside descriptive and inferential analysis of student responses. One of the main findings was that a reduced version of the AMS, made up of five dimensions and 21 items, demonstrated good internal consistency and fit. Further, we observed that intrinsic motivation is higher in university students, whilst extrinsic motivation is higher during the basic vocational training stage. In addition, we uncovered significant differences between both educational stages with regards to the pleasure felt by students when they better themselves, learn new things and attend the educational center. Differences also emerged in relation to the importance attributed by students to achieving a good and well-paid job. With regards to amotivation, significant differences only exist in relation to the motives students have for attending classes and decision making about whether to continue studying the course they are enrolled on. Finally, we have analyzed how the variables sex, age, prior work experience and volunteering experience, and average grade influence the motivation of students undertaking basic vocational training and university students. Full article

Motivational development represents a key element for academic performance in the university context. A non-experimental study with a cross-sectional and ex post facto design through a single measurement in a single group was conducted. The sample was made up of a total of 2736 university students (♂ = 33.8% (n = 924); ♀ = 66.2% (n = 1812)) belonging to a total of 19 Spanish universities. The main instrument used was the Basic Psychological Needs scale, using the IBM SPSS 22.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) software for data analysis. The results showed that the need for autonomy was higher in social sciences students, those who accessed their studies through vocational training and those who attended their degree in person. In addition, this need was positively related to score, but inversely related to age and grade. The need for competence was higher in students who studied in private centers, those who accessed their university studies through other ways and those students who studied online. Likewise, this need was directly related to the score. Finally, it should be noted that the need for relationships was higher in university students from public institutions, students who accessed their studies through vocational training and those who studied in face-to-face universities. The need for a relationship correlated positively with the score, although with less strength than other needs. In this way, the relevance of various academic factors in the motivational development of students can be established, from which various educational implications are derived in order to favor academic performance. Full article

With the labor market and work environments becoming increasingly dynamic, the question of how young people can find their way to a sustainable professional future becomes ever more complex. This paper looks from different perspectives at apprenticeships, at their advantages and limitations. The first step is a description of the prerequisites that are necessary for a sustainable career choice. In this respect, the role of career guidance is particularly relevant, as guidance needs to take into account both individual characteristics as well as labor market aspects in order to support a sustainable career choice. Based on a comprehensive critical literature review of current interdisciplinary and international papers, as well as of basic career choice theory literature, the theoretical framework is set out and linked to empirical results. The conclusion emphasizes the high importance of apprenticeships for the holistic personality development of young people and a positive as well as a sustainable effect on their lifelong employment careers. It should be stressed that this success depends, to a large extent, on the structure of the vocational education and training system, on labor market developments, and on individual advanced qualifications in the course of working life. Full article