Vocational Education Research Articles

Teachers with a refugee background work as educators in Germany

This study's focus is to determine refugee teachers' views regarding their ability to work as teachers in Germany, their initiatives, and the challenges they face. In this context, the study was conducted based on qualitative research methodology. In order to collect data a total of 265 teachers residing in the 16 states of Germany were reached. Upon examining the results, it is observed that the majority of participants express a desire to work as teachers in Germany, while only a few have actually obtained the opportunity to work as teachers in Germany. More than half of the participants who are currently working as teachers reside in the North Rhine-Westphalia state. When analyzing the results, it becomes evident that a significant portion of the participants are strongly inclined to pursue a teaching career in Germany. However, the data reveals that the actual attainment of employment as teacher in Germany remains relatively low among the respondents. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that a majority of the teachers currently employed in the profession are concentrated in the North Rhine-Westphalia state.

Researching the Job Corps at Acadia National Park

The War on Poverty-era Job Corps conservation centers of the National Park Service offer an important narrative about the contributions of young people of color and poor white people to conservation and the national parks. At a time when the agency is eager to diversify both its staff and visitors, this is an important history for the NPS to research and interpret for the public. The Job Corps and other federal youth conservation programs also offer important lessons for current and future job training and conservation programs. These lessons underscore the need to fully consider issues of race and class in federal programs that seek to address poverty and conservation, and to consider whether federal land agencies such as the National Park Service are equipped to handle this task.

Hybrid Education in Remote Nursing Placements in Australia: A Descriptive Qualitative Study.

Rural and remote areas offer unique opportunities for undergraduate nurses. Extended placements boost work readiness, improve assessment skills, and increase likelihood of practicing in these areas post-registration. However, hybrid delivery of curriculum content in not well understood. Undergraduate Extended Nurse Placement Program (ENPP) and on campus students, and academics were recruited from a major tertiary institution to understand impact of hybrid delivery for nursing curriculum. Data were obtained from descriptive qualitative design and focus group interviews. A process of thematic analysis generated themes and findings. There were 12 participants: academics (n = 4), ENPP students (n = 7), and 1 on campus student. The main theme was "Bridging the Hybrid Gap," with two sub-themes: (1) separation, describes ENPP students emotional, experiential, and academic disconnect from on-campus students; and (2) adaptation, describes strategies used to adjust to hybrid learning. Technology has evolved and presents opportunities for nursing education. We must continue to enhance education design in the nursing curriculum context. [J Nurs Educ. 2024;63(11):755-763.].

Reexamining Knowledge Management Education in Higher Institutions of Learning in Africa: A South African Perspective

Abstract: For twenty-first-century higher education institutions to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving techno-economic environment, knowledge management (KM) education is crucial in their curriculum. KM education expands the theoretical underpinnings of the discipline, producing skilled and competent professionals to implement KM in organizations and businesses. Researchers have reported the lack of an educational career path for KM professionals and have advocated for the need to build a professional qualification that can serve to establish KM, with agreed and accepted entry requirements. KM at educational institutions is still emerging as an interdisciplinary research and teaching discipline, notwithstanding the fact that the concept emerged as an academic discipline in the 1990s. Although KM has been established at private- and public-sector organizations in Africa, it is yet to be integrated as a discipline at most of these institutions. Drawing from five different perspectives of KM, a guideline for KM education is presented comprising an integrated KM curriculum that includes every KM discipline. The article advocates for KM education at higher education institutions from an African perspective. Since the discipline is still maturing, KM researchers have advocated for an annual survey of KM education to track progress toward a mature academic discipline.

Institutional implementation of Industry 4.0 competencies in TVET programmes in the Indo-Pacific: Critical success factors

This article responds to the question: What are the critical success factors that support the implementation of Industry 4.0 competencies in TVET (technical and vocational education and training) programme offerings? The scope of our study was programme offerings targeting STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields at the tertiary level across 15 countries in the Indo-Pacific region. The study evaluated the ‘actions already taken’ to implement Industry 4.0 competencies, and a survey questionnaire was used to collect data. The findings identified staff capacity development, a supportive culture, the availability of resources, and public awareness as critical success factors. In addition, TVET institution type and the annual growth rate of real GDP (gross domestic product) per employed person were found to boost the relationship between these factors. This means that TVET colleges are in a weaker position in implementing Industry 4.0 compared with the other two types of institutions in the study.

TRAINERS CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND STUDENTS LEARNING OUTCOMES IN TVET INSTITUTIONS

The study sought to establish the influence of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programs on students learning outcomes in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions in Ruhango District, Rwanda. The study aimed to determine the influence of CPD programs on course completion rates, acquisition of practical skills and competencies and students participation/engagement among TVET students. Using cross-sectional research design with mixed methods, data were collected from a sample of 427 respondents, including instructors, headteachers, and Sector Education Inspectors (SEIs). Simple random sampling was used for schools and instructors, while headteachers and SEIs were selected through purposive sampling. Quantitative data were analyzed using frequency percentages and correlation analysis, while qualitative data were processed through thematic analysis.The findings revealed that CPD programs significantly enhance student learning outcomes in TVET institutions. A majority of respondents (80%) participated in CPD initiatives, with 65% reporting that CPD had a strong influence on improving course completion rates, and 85% highlighting its positive impact on the acquisition of practical skills and competencies. Additionally, 60% of respondents recognized a substantial influence of CPD on student engagement. Correlation analysis confirmed strong positive relationships between CPD and course completion (r = 0.72), practical skills acquisition (r = 0.85), and student engagement (r = 0.72). The study concluded that CPD programs play a critical role in improving educational outcomes in TVET institutions. Recommendations include tailoring CPD programs to specific technical fields, enhancing hands-on workshops, providing more frequent CPD opportunities, and implementing structured monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. Future research should explore the influence of CPD on specific technical skills and examine its long-term impact on both instructors and students.

The Influence of Curriculum, Accounting Expertise and Lecturer Competence on Student Work Readiness in the VUCA Era

The occurrence of a phenomenon of rapid change in all industries due to the VUCA era and its impact on the demand for workforce work readiness in the hotel industry is the background for this research. This study aims to analyze the work readiness of students at the Hospitality Accounting Management Study Program (Prodi MAH) at the Politeknik Pariwisata Bali based on the influence of curriculum factors, accounting expertise and lecturer competence. This research is quantitative research where data collection is carried out by distributing online questionnaires using Google Forms to all students of the Prodi MAH. Sampling using a census consists of Prodi MAH 8th semester students, as many as 60 people. Furthermore, the data was processed with SEM PLS using smartPLS software version 4.0. The findings indicated that curriculum and accounting expertise positively, significantly and directly impacted work readiness and indirectly affected work readiness through the mediation of lecturer competence.

Vocational education and training teachers’ perceptions of supporting students’ joy of studying in online courses

ABSTRACT Finnish vocational education and training (VET) delivered via online learning has been little studied from the perspective of student well-being. In this study, we examined how VET teachers perceive their students’ joy in online learning environments. The research was conducted as a themed interview with 20 VET teachers. The teachers answered questions regarding positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment concerning the students’ joy of studying. The results showed that, according to the teachers’ perceptions, good digital skills helped the students to manage the online platform, and collaborative online platform used for their studies. The students experienced the joy of studying when the tasks in the online implementation included variety, activity, and work-life orientation. According to the teachers, students experienced the joy of studying when they received individual control and when the teacher also managed the group activities. Work-life oriented guidance also contributed to the students’ joy of studying.

Do universities have the articulation of college programmes in mind when reviewing their academic curricula?

In order to articulate academic programmes from college to university effectively, the curricula of the two institutional structures must be aligned. Studies show that this is not always the case, despite the existence of national and sectoral policies that are intended to promote alignment. In grappling with this reality, this study explored the level of interface of academic programmes between TVET (technical and vocational education and training) colleges and a comprehensive university in South Africa. It also investigated whether, and the extent to which, university policies and actors considered college programmes during their curriculum-review processes. Document analysis and semi-structured interviews were used to gather qualitative data. It was found that, instead of considering college curricula, curriculum review was driven by professional bodies, market demands and relevance. Moreover, institutional actors did not have the required agency to engage with the current misalignment of college–university academic programmes or curricula. The implication is that, while necessary, university policies for promoting academic curricula for articulation and programme interface are not adequate for resolving the problem of the misalignment between college and university curricula. To facilitate the interests of agents in articulation, the articulation officers at institutions of higher learning must ensure that articulation policies are in place in departments and that curriculum designers and related stakeholders are imbued with articulation principles during the review and realignment of curricula.

Expanding student access to higher education: Examining the strategic processes for enhancing access to higher education from TVET colleges to universities of technology

In this article, the vexed issue of expanding access to higher education in South Africa is explored by investigating the pathways between technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges and universities of technology (UoTs). Central to this examination is the Unfurling Post-School Education and Training (UPSET) project, which seeks to formalise these pathways and establish a more inclusive and adaptable higher education system. Drawing on Hall’s (1996) theory of articulation and the concept of relational autonomy, the article highlights the transformative potential of strategic collaborations between TVET colleges and UoTs. Using a qualitative case study conducted at a university of technology in the Western Cape province, South Africa, the article describes the complexities of developing jointly offered higher certificates (HCs) in the post-school sector. It emphasises the strategic role of the UPSET project in revitalising existing practices and cultivating deliberate processes and practices to expand access to vocational education. The article contends that UoTs are ideally positioned to facilitate jointly offered HCs based on their integration of theoretical and practical knowledge and their robust industry affiliations. Furthermore, the article highlights various epistemological approaches to developing HCs in UoTs. It argues for a more integrated higher education system that values both vocational and academic pathways and contributes to social justice and economic empowerment in South Africa.

Journal of Vocational, Adult and Continuing Education and Training, Volume 7, Issue 1 2024

The Journal of Vocational, Adult and Continuing Education and Training The Journal of Vocational, Adult and Continuing Education and Training (JOVACET) recognises the need for critical engagement through studies in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and adult and continuing education and training, and for encouraging critical scrutiny of this expansive knowledge area on the African continent. The voices and experiences of practitioners, reflecting on all aspects of teaching and learning within vocational education and adult education settings, should be heard through the publication of empirical and robust research. While the journal wishes to take forward academic scholarship, it also seeks to strengthen opportunities for reflective practice that makes a scholarly contribution to the field. New knowledge emerging out of complex developmental contexts has significant value and needs to be showcased beyond existing geographical and political boundaries. The journal is therefore committed to also supporting the development of emerging researchers by providing them with a space to present and defend their research amongst a network of global scholars. Within the field of vocational and continuing education there is substantive ‘grey literature’ that remains in project report form. The journal is potentially a vehicle for the translation of this important work into an academic contribution to a wider community of practice, thereby enhancing its value. (c) 2024 Journal of Vocational, Adult and Continuing Education and Training

Enhancing vocabulary acquisition through Memrise in an English second-language class: Action research at a TVET college

As the basis of a language, vocabulary is important because it promotes dialogue and the expression of individual ideas and opinions, has an impact on reading comprehension, and improves academic achievement. The purpose of this action research was to use the Memrise application to improve the vocabulary of English Level 2 second-language students (ESL) in the TVET (technical and vocational education and training) sector. The study of a first-year cohort of ESL students at Level 2 was selected through purposive sampling and the data were collected using pre- and post-testing, questionnaires and reflective journal entries documenting the teacher’s self-reflection and observations on Memrise usage. Memrise was used in Author One’s classroom during a six-week period. Using Guskey’s (2002) model of teacher change, the research revealed improved, varying degrees of academic achievement among students following the implementation of the application. In addition, the study highlighted these students’ preference for technology-enhanced learning experiences, such as the Memrise application, over traditional text-based approaches. This research not only challenged the teacher– researcher to embrace technology in order to engage in enhanced teaching practices, but also provided the student cohort with an engaging pathway towards vocabulary acquisition, a process that fostered mutual development.

Analysing the continuing education needs of Swiss in-company trainers: An approach based on the latent class analysis

In the Swiss dual vocational education and training (VET) system, access to continuing ‘extra-professional’ education for in-company trainers remains relatively limited, despite their acknowledged pedagogical role. Accordingly, this study examined the continuing education needs of in-company trainers by analysing their postures in relation to different continuing-education offerings. Hence, an online questionnaire was completed by in-company trainers (n = 5 295) across Switzerland. The survey questions focused on a number of varied themes and characteristics of continuing education programmes. Latent class analyses enabled us to identify four classes of in-company trainer, distinguished by their relationship with continuing education (‘thirsty for continuing education’ vs ‘indifferent for continuing education’), on the one hand, and by their relationship with the trainer’s function (‘apprentices’ caretaker’ vs ‘dedicated to the trainer’s function’), on the other. Several differences were highlighted regarding the socio-demographic characteristics and preferences for practical courses between the four classes. Our study provides an insight into this population’s heterogeneity and a finer distinction between attitudes existing among in-company trainers about continuing education. In addition, these findings reflect the challenge of recognising in-company trainers as pedagogical figures for apprentices, and not merely as ‘occupation transmitters’. Based on the results, some practical implications for the field are also raised.

Leveraging Canva to create a biographical recount text for vocational secondary students in ESP instruction

Integrating technology into English for Specific Purposes (ESP) instruction is essential for adapting to rapid technological advancements, and Canva offers significant potential in this area. However, research on Canva has mainly focused on general English instruction, with limited examination of its application in ESP. This study explores how vocational secondary school teachers used Canva to teach biographical recount texts in an ESP context, along with the rationale behind this choice. A qualitative study was conducted at SMKN 13 Malang, West Java, within the Merchant Nautical Ship Department. Data were collected through classroom observation and interviews with an experienced English teacher. Observations revealed the structured steps of using Canva to teach biographical recount texts, enabling more active students’ participation in class. Canva was chosen for its practical benefits, including students’ familiarity with the platform, ready-to-use templates, and the potential to boost students’ creativity, all of which support its effective use in vocational education.

Peculiarities of developing the cognitive-prognostic component of future teachers’ soft skills

Introduction. In the modern vocational education system, there is a significant shortage of highly qualified and competent teachers who are able to teach students effectively and prepare them for real professional challenges. Convergence in education and industries places new demands on vocational teacher education, who must have developed soft skills necessary for professional development. A new methodology and procedures for their formation at university is needed, which is an important research problem in the field of quality training of mid-level specialists for the modern labor market and ensuring the competitiveness of graduates. The purpose of the study is to identify the characteristic features of developing cognitive-prognostic component of future teachers’ soft skills. Materials and Methods. The study follows the creative-prognostic and personal-narrative approaches. Through theoretical methods, the essence, structure, and content of soft skills for vocational teachers were identified and described: the method of conceptual, terminological and comparative analysis, content analysis, discursive reflection, system analysis, and modeling. In order to test the effectiveness of cognitive-prognostic component of soft skills development, a number of empirical methods were used, in particular: observation, questioning, testing, expert assessment and statistical methods for processing the data. Results. The article discusses theoretical and technological aspects of soft skills development that ensure training of competitive mid-level professional for the labor market. In order to build the structure of future vocational teachers’ professionalism, the authors identified its functional components. Attention is focused on the new methodology and procedure of their formation at university, providing a predictive vision and a creative approach, i.e. combining the ideas of creativity and flexible forecasting in the uncertain world. The research significance is presented by the data obtained during analytical work, which made it possible to identify a number of essential structural components of future teachers’ professionalism. The analysis of modern research trends highlights the cognitive-prognostic component of soft skills as a significant one for further training of competitive mid-level professionals for the labor market, corresponding to current challenges, the development of technologies using digital resources and artificial intelligence. Conclusions. It has been found that the formation of future vocational teachers’ soft skills based on the use of innovative forms, methods and means of forecasting and creative management will improve the efficiency of the educational process at university and ensure further professional development. In order to ensure efficient preparation of future vocational teachers, it is necessary to develop teaching procedures for implementing the cognitive-prognostic component of soft skills, including lean thinking and project and process management. In conclusion, the authors emphasize the significant role of the cognitive-prognostic component of preparing competitive vocational teachers able to cope with modern challenges in the labor market.

Editorial policy and procedure

The Journal of Vocational, Adult and Continuing Education and Training (JOVACET) recognises the need for critical engagement through studies in TVET and Adult and Continuing Education and Training, and for encouraging critical scrutiny of this expansive knowledge area on the African continent. The voices and experiences of practitioners, reflecting on all aspects of teaching and learning within vocational education and adult education settings, should be heard through publication of empirical and robust research. While the journal clearly wishes to take forward academic scholarship, it also seeks to strengthen opportunities for reflective practice that makes a scholarly contribution to the field. New knowledge emerging out of complex developmental contexts has significant value and needs to be showcased beyond existing geographical and political boundaries. The journal is therefore committed to also supporting the development of emerging researchers by providing them with a space to present and defend their research among a network of global scholars. Within the field of vocational and continuing education there is substantive ‘grey literature’ that remains in project report form. The journal is potentially a vehicle for the translation of this important work into an academic contribution to a wider community of practice and thereby enhancing its value. The JOVACET will appear at least once a year. Unsolicited articles are welcome for consideration and should be uploaded onto the JOVACET’s website online journal or else emailed to the journal’s managing editor. The editors are accountable for everything published in the journal and should therefore:• work towards improving the contents of the journal;• adopt peer-review methods best suited for the journal and the research communityit serves;• ensure that all manuscripts have been reviewed by appropriate reviewers;• ensure quality assurance processes are in place for the material that is published; and• uphold the highest standards of integrity, intellectual rigour and ethics. The editors will not disclose any information about the submitted manuscripts or their authors to anyone other than the author(s) and reviewer(s), as appropriate. Submitted articles will be reviewed by two anonymous external referees in a ‘blind’ peer-review process. Appropriate papers will be reviewed according to their significance and soundness. Articles that have been submitted must not have been published or accepted for publication elsewhere. The editors are responsible for deciding which of the manuscripts submitted to the journal will be published. The editors’ decision to accept or reject a manuscript should be based on the importance of the manuscript, its originality and clarity, the validity of the study and its relevance to the journal’s scope. Considerations will also include current legal requirements regarding libel, copyright infringement and plagiarism. Submissions may not exceed the 8 000-word limit and must contain a title, abstract of not more than 200 words and be correctly and completely referenced according to the Harvard system of referencing. Footnotes should be kept to a minimum. Tables should be positioned where they are referred to and not be submitted separately. Authors are requested to consult the author’s guidelines on the website. The article should not contain any identification of the author and should be anonymised as far as possible. The name(s) and affiliations of the author(s), as well as their email address, should appear on a separate page. The Journal of Vocational, Adult and Continuing Education and Training (JOVACET) is an open access, peer-reviewed journal committed to disseminating the latest research in post-school education to the global community as widely as possible. The journal content is freely and openly available after publication on the website, www.jovacet.ac.za, and can be read, downloaded, copied, distributed and printed without asking prior permission from the publisher or the author.

A Study on the Systematic Changes in Vocational High School Beauty Departments Reflected in the National Curriculum

This study was conducted to analyze and examine the general guidelines of the national curriculum presented at the national level and to propose development strategies for enhanced beauty education. For the study, the curriculum documents were collected and analyzed according to the revision periods, from the 1st period to the 2022 revised curriculum, through the National Law Information Center and the National Curriculum Information Center website The analysis revealed that vocational high schools, which are secondary vocational education institutions, underwent a name change from “industrial high schools” to “specialized high schools” and then to “specialized vocational high schools.” In the context of establishing beauty departments within the specialized subjects, the term “specialized subjects” was first used during the 2nd period. Starting from the 7th period, the beauty department was established within the specialized subjects. Before the introduction of specialized subjects, It was part of the home economics curriculum. The period after the 7th revision was identified as the time when the beauty department and beauty subjects became more structured. During the 1st period, vocational high schools had five main fields: agriculture, industry, commerce, fisheries, and home economics. In the 2009 revision, these fields were reorganized into vocational home economics, agricultural and life sciences, commercial information, and fisheries and shipping. By the 2015 and 2022 revisions, the fields were further divided into 17 subject groups. During the 2007 and 2009 revisions, the subjects of hair beauty, skin care, and makeup were established. Starting from the 2015 revision, the subject name changed from skin care to skin beauty, and nail beauty was introduced as a new subject. Additionally, with the distinction of theory and practical courses under the names “common subjects,” “basic subjects,” and “practical subjects,” the curriculum for beauty programs became more systematic and structured. In the sociocultural context, it is important to understand how the role of vocational education is changing and to identify any issues. Feedback on these aspects should be incorporated into the curriculum.

Supporting apprentices’ autonomy in vocational training: Insights into the practices at the Swiss Postal Service

Satisfying people’s basic psychological needs of relatedness, competence and autonomy plays an important role in human motivation and affects people’s well-being, engagement and performance positively. Companies can contribute to the satisfaction of all three basic psychological needs by establishing autonomy-supportive working conditions, benefitting as a result from associated positive outcomes. Based on an empirical, qualitative exploratory case study, the present article supports the assumption that satisfying the need for autonomy is especially beneficial to the healthy and successful development of young adults throughout their apprenticeship. The findings indicate that various pedagogic measures support the experience of autonomy and also increase work satisfaction and the drive towards workplace learning and collaboration. Such practices include apprentices planning and steering their learning pathways together with their coaches, taking on more comprehensive responsibilities, showing greater initiative in, and ownership of, projects, and actively representing apprentices’ needs in the workplace.

베이비부머의 사회적자본과 삶의 질의 관계에서 평생학습참여도의 매개효과

Objectives The purpose of this study was to establish counseling intervention strategies that can increase social capital and lifelong education participation of baby boomers in career education and career counseling sites, and to provide various basic data to improve quality of life. Methods For this purpose, 112 responses were received and analyzed through an online survey from October 8 to 15, 2023, targeting baby boomers (born between 1955 and 1963) living in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions. For the collected data, reliability analysis, descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression analysis were conducted for each variable using the SPSS 23.0 statistical program, and the Sobel Test was conducted to analyze statistical significance. Results First, baby boomers social capital was found to have a significant positive effect on quality of life. Second, baby boomers social capital was found to have a positive effect on lifelong education participation. Third, baby boomers lifelong education participation was found to have a positive effect on quality of life. Fourth, lifelong edu-cation participation was found to mediate the relationship between baby boomers social capital and quality of life. Conclusions The results of this study show that in order to improve the quality of life of baby boomers, it is neces-sary to recognize the need for social capital and lifelong education and to develop and implement education and counseling programs that can provide systematic help.

PERCEIVED INFLUENCE OF AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN DELTA STATE

The aim of this paper is to examine perceived influence of agricultural education on community development in Delta State. The study adopted three specific objectives, three research questions and three null hypotheses. The study reviewed the variable stated in the research questions. Human development theory was used by the researcher to ascertained influence of agricultural education towards community development. The study reviewed some literature appraisal propounded by other scholars. Cross sectional survey research design method was used in the study. The population of the study comprises 500 hundred respondents and it includes teachers and farmers. A simple random sampling technique was used to select (200) respondents of 90 teachers and 110 farmers for the study. Questionnaire was the major instrument used for data collection and it was validated by two experts. One from Department of Measurement and Evaluation, while the second one from Department of Vocational and Technical Education all from University of Benin, Edo State. Data obtained from the respondents showed a reliability index of 0.89 using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient. Data collected was analyzed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions while analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The finding of the result showed that agricultural education improve the development of community through provision job for over 99% of unemployed youths in Delta State. The study concluded that government need to provide loan for farmers in order for them to practice commercial farming system across the twenty five local government area of delta state for adequate food supply. The study recommended that university of agriculture should be created across the state that will education students on how to invest largely on both commercial and peasant farming system in Delta State.