Measures for Managing Psychosocial Risks in Vocational Education and Training Organizations

Abstract

In Finland, vocational education and training (VET) providers are responsible for organizing vocational education in their respective regions. VET providers’ personnel consist of teachers, support services personnel and managers. Today, VET providers are facing major organizational changes due to educational reform and the tight economic situation. In these situations, VET providers’ personnel may encounter decreased occupational health and safety (OHS) due to psychosocial risks. The problems arising from organizational changes are often interpreted as deficiencies in the competence of personnel or as stemming from occupational burden. At the same time, activities promoting the well-being of personnel often focus on individual physical activity. However, organizational resolutions are needed to improve OHS and the well-being of personnel in VET. The objective of this study is to generate measures for managing psychosocial risks in VET organizations. Six large VET providers with approximately 3700 full-time employees participated in the study. An interview study was carried out to investigate employees’ conceptions of their OHS risk factors and the possibilities to reduce their overburden. A total of 58 people representing teachers, support service personnel and managers were interviewed. The interview results were qualitatively analysed and validated in workshops. Based on the analysis, a collection of organizational measures to improve OHS of personnel and to reduce their overburden were suggested. The measures provide a systematic and practical approach for managing psychosocial risks in VET and other educational organizations.