Vocational Education Research Articles

Policy brief: Improving teacher qualifications for equitable teacher workforce in Flemish - Belgium education

This policy brief addresses persistent challenges in the Flemish-Belgian education system, including quality improvement, teacher shortages, student guidance, institutional capacity, and secondary school duration. Despite increased funding, the ongoing exodus of educators remains concerning. To achieve equitable learning outcomes, the brief advocates for enhancing teacher qualifications, aligning training with diverse learner needs, and providing continuous professional development. Additionally, it recommends bolstering educational leadership, promoting teaching as a respected profession, establishing a teacher career structure linked to certification, and improving data collection for accurate monitoring of teacher supply and demand. These measures aim to address teacher shortages, foster inclusivity, and ensure all students have equal access to quality education. Collaborative efforts among organizations like UNESCO, OECD, and EUROSTAT are highlighted for improved data collection, essential for informed policy decisions and resource allocation in the Flemish education sector.

Exploring the potential for enhancing green skills training, innovation and sustainable livelihoods in informal spaces of Harare, Zimbabwe: identifying gaps and opportunities

PurposeDespite growing emphasis on green skills, innovation, and sustainable livelihoods, research remains limited in the informal economy, particularly in developing countries. This study investigates gaps in green skills training, innovations and livelihoods among informal metal fabricators, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities within this sector. Specifically, the study critically assesses the potential for upskilling informal metal fabricators through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and university innovation hubs.Design/methodology/approachEmploying a qualitative interpretive methodology, we conducted 40 key informant interviews with small-scale informal metal fabricators operating in Magaba and Gaza home industries, two of Harare’s largest home industries in Zimbabwe. Subsequent key informant interviews were held with TVET educators and innovation hub lecturers. Observations were carried out over a period of three months to comprehensively explore the issues under investigation.FindingsGender disparities persist within informal innovation spaces, with women making strides in the traditionally male-dominated field of metal fabrication. However, challenges such as prejudices, stigma, ridicule and abuse hinder women’s full participation in manufacturing processes, often relegating them to less physically demanding roles like customer engagement and product marketing. Inequities in support for green skills training were evident, with the innovation hub model primarily catering to formally educated youth in universities, neglecting the active involvement of notable informal innovators with limited formal education. While a gradual shift toward renewable energy sources is observable in the informal economy, government-owned TVET institutions show minimal or no adjustments in course content to incorporate essential green skills. In light of the findings, the study proposes measures to ensure equitable green skills training, innovation and the promotion of sustainable livelihoods in the informal metal fabrication sector.Originality/valueThe findings of this study represent a novel contribution the gaps in green skills training in the informal economy and how these inform reforms for vocational learning and training practices and the incubation of innovations.

A Robot-assisted real case-handling approach to improving students’ learning performances in vocational training

A Robot-assisted real case-handling approach to improving students’ learning performances in vocational training

Exploring the professional´s perceptions on dual vocational education and training (dual VET) process of implementation in Spain

Exploring the professional´s perceptions on dual vocational education and training (dual VET) process of implementation in Spain

Empowering Wives: Advancing Education and Opportunities Post-Marriage in India

Almost half of all people on the planet are women. The best method to enhance a household's health, nutrition, and financial standing - a household being a micro unit of a country's economy - is for women to receive an education. In this regard, one could argue that under education of women may be a barrier to the economic advancement of the nation. In India, women obtain significantly less schooling than males do. Government and non-profit organizations have made a real attempt to raise women's educational achievement. The actions of the Indian government towards women's education reflected in the modifications made to elementary, secondary, and higher education legislation and infrastructure. According to the survey, there has been a noticeable improvement in women's educational achievement as evidenced by changes in female literacy levels throughout time. However, no one talks about the right to education of a woman after her marriage. How she is sacrificing her higher education and the challenges she faces if she pursues so and the sacrifices she makes relating to her further education and sacrificing career of her own dreams and lives her life in poise. This paper talks about the women’s right to education post marriage and the challenges she faces in her life post marriage. Right to Education after marriage is also a fundamental human right. Women empowerment in education post-marriage is necessary in the society.

Experiences of Food Insecurity Among Pregnant Adolescents and Adolescent Mothers in Ghana: A Photovoice Method.

Objectives: Food insecurity (FI) remains a major public health problem globally. However, there is limited information about adolescents' experiences. The current study explored FI experiences of pregnant adolescents and adolescent mothers in Cape Coast, Ghana using a Photovoice method. Methods: This study recruited 34 pregnant adolescents and adolescent mothers from communities in Cape Coast, Ghana. Each participated in a training session then was provided prompts to take photos that portrayed food access barriers, facilitators and coping strategies. In a debrief session, each participant selected two pictures they took and explained the image, followed by a group discussion of the selected photos. Debrief sessions were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim to develop themes using a theory-driven approach. Results: Most participants reported several or many experiences with FI (64.7%) in the previous month. Participants discussed money, unwanted pregnancy, and unstable work as barriers to obtaining food and working, selling goods, and family support as facilitators to obtaining food. Coping strategies mentioned include providing services to others, borrowing food and goods, meal stretching, pawning personal items and trading. Conclusion: The FI experience of this population is complex; interventions, including trade training or school retention, should be multifaceted.

Motivational Effecting on Career Education Choice of Electrical Engineering Course for Community College in Thailand by Survey Data Analysis

Motivational Effecting on Career Education Choice of Electrical Engineering Course for Community College in Thailand by Survey Data Analysis

Practices Promoting the Inclusion of Adult Students with Disabilities in the Classroom: A Case of a Technical Vocational Education and Training College in Kazakhstan

Practices Promoting the Inclusion of Adult Students with Disabilities in the Classroom: A Case of a Technical Vocational Education and Training College in Kazakhstan

Analysis on the Equity Between Private Schools and Public Schools in China: An Equity-Focused Educator Interview

In recent years, the emergence of private schools in China has caused a series of problems related to educational equity. Against this background, the author had an interview with Principal Chen, a famous educator in Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China. He is one of a few principals in Ganzhou who have both teaching and management experience. The interview aims to find what the biggest educational problem is in Principal Chen's educational career. In conclusion, this paper holds that the Chinese government should supervise and standardize the reward and punishment rather than deprive the school of its reward and punishment rights. At the same time, the government should raise the salary of teachers in the basic education stage and guarantee that their salaries are not lower than the income level of local civil servants, thereby making teachers get rid of the pressure of survival and devote themselves better to education. Finally, this paper emphasizes the important role of leadership in promoting educational equity.

El uso de estrategias de enseñanza y aprendizaje desde la alteridad en la carrera de Educación Comercial de la Universidad Nacional

From otherness, the use of teaching and learning strategies is proposed as a resource in the classroom that allows the inclusion and equality of students in the teaching and learning processes in the Commercial Education career; The teacher, being aware of the needs and interests of the students, will be able to use strategies that promote the development of skills and strengths so that everyone has the same opportunities. Likewise, graduates will be able to use strategies that romote otherness, creating spaces for horizontal and emancipatory communication in their work areas. In order to identify how teachers in this career can apply otherness in teaching and learning strategies, it is important to ask the following question: will the teacher be discovering the needs of the students? .In order to respond to this statement, the concept of alterity that is the discovery of the other, that is, that there are different contexts and worldviews, will be addressed. In which, it is required that the teacher is located in the educational realities that his students present and that they look for a solution so that the activities carried out respond to their needs

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS FOR SOFTWARE-DEFINED NETWORKS MAINTENANCE ENGINEER

In this article we analyze the Russian developments in the field of software-defined networks and software-defined wide area networks, professional standards and job vacancies in order to determine knowledge and skills required of specialists. We conclude that there is a lack of practical manuals for training network engineers, and suggest possible topics for laboratory exercises for educational textbooks. This article can be useful for teachers of educational institutions of vocational secondary education, higher education, supplementary education in the development of work programs of disciplines, lecture material and laboratory workshops in the field of software-defined networks, as well as for students of the educational institutions and for junior network engineers.

Occupational psychosocial exposures and chronic low-back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This study aimed to explore the association between occupational psychosocial exposures and chronic low-back pain (LBP) by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis. The research protocol was registered in PROSPERO. A systematic literature search was performed in six databases, identifying articles complying with predefined inclusion criteria. In our PECOS, we defined outcome as chronic LBP ≥3 months, exposures as occupational psychosocial exposures, and restricted study design to case-control and cohort studies. Two authors independently excluded articles, extracted data, assessed risk of bias, and graded evidence levels. Meta-analyses were performed using random-effects models. The 20 included articles encompassed six different occupational psychosocial exposures (job control, demand, strain, support, stress, and satisfaction), only 1 had low risk of bias. For all occupational psychosocial exposures, odds ratios ranged from 0.8 to 1.1. Sensitivity analyses based on risk of bias was conducted for two outcomes ie, job control and job demand, finding no differences between high and low-to-moderate risk of bias studies. Using GRADE, we found a very low level of evidence of the association for all occupational psychosocial exposures. In this study, we found no association between occupational psychosocial exposures and chronic LBP. However, it is important to underline that the level of evidence was very low. High quality studies are highly warranted.

Educational Choice and the Willingness to Apply of Higher Vocational Students in Guangdong Province, China: The Mediating Role of Career Decision-making Self-efficacy

The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of educational choice on the intention to enter the examination, and the mediating role of career decision-making self-efficacy. A total of 1391 freshmen from six higher vocational colleges in Guangdong Province of China were investigated with Education Choices Scale, Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale and Willingness to Apply Scale. The results showed that educational choice and career decision-making self-efficacy had significant effects on the willingness to apply. Career decision-making self-efficacy plays a mediating role in the significant positive impact of educational choice on the willingness to apply. Therefore, China's educational institutions and policy makers should focus on cultivating vocational students' career decision-making self-efficacy and improving their confidence and ability in career decision-making. To help students better understand their interests, values, and career goals, and to help students better understand the career fields they face professionally.

Low back pain, work overload, and associated factors among hospital caregivers.

Caregivers assist patients in treatment based on their care needs and living activities. Very few studies have been conducted specifically on the occupational health and safety of hospital caregivers. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of excessive workload and low back pain among hospital caregivers and to identify potential associated factors. This cross-sectional study included caregivers working at Gazi University Hospital. Socio-demographic and working-life characteristics were assessed. The Role Overload Scale was used to determine excessive workload and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire was used to evaluate low back pain. The study included 528 participants. A total of 18.7% had work accidents in their department. 49.0% had sharp injuries. 68.9% of the participants performed tasks such as positioning, turning, lifting, or helping patients to walk. 72.2% stood for a long time during the workday. 52.8% thought that they worked under stress. 57.6% had low back pain in the last year and 38.6% in the last month, Significant differences exist in low back pain according to gender, body-mass index, standing for a long time and working under stress. Those who worked at night, had a work accident, positioned patients, stood for a long time, and worked under stress had higher mean scores on the Role Overload Scale. Tools should be used to lift and transport patients. In addition to occupational health and safety training, awareness of musculoskeletal risks should be increased. Employee well-being can be improved through exercise and stress reduction techniques.

Spoilt for Choice

Constant working conditions are outdated. Consequently, employees are confronted with the challenge of continuing vocational training. In this context, the question is how to select the appropriate trainer or training institute. In recent years, learning transfer research has focussed on researching the determinants of learning transfer. Baldwin and Ford's basic learning transfer model forms the starting point for this. This model differentiates between training input, training output and conditions of transfer. Thus, trainee characteristics, training design and work environment are determinants of training input. The author examines existing standards for training design and trainer competences in practice. In this regard, the author focusses on the question of which are the decisive criteria for the final decision in favour of a trainer or a training institute. No conclusive answer can be given to this question, as no studies are available. Consequently, a future field of research is evident here.

Examining the role of motivation in shaping future primary school teachers' professional competence in Kazakhstan

The issue of developing the professional competence of teachers is one of the priorities in the Kazakhstani education system. One of the most significant challenges in the context of improving abilities is increasing students' motivation. This study aims to examine the role of motivation in shaping future primary school teachers' professional competence. The methods of multivariate correlation analysis, a method for finding structure diagrams of motives and their integral subsystems with their subsequent analysis were used to conduct the study. The research was conducted at the Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda University (Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan). A sample of 57 participants was used for the study. The majority of respondents were female (92.36%) and male (7.64%). According to the study, it has been found that the main reason for studying among students is to receive vocational training in order to find a good and well-paid job which provides the opportunity to use personal abilities and receive higher education in their specialty. Following the findings of this study, practical recommendations are offered to increase student motivation as a factor in developing professional competence. The developed assessment-criteria diagnostic tools can be used in pedagogical monitoring in universities and in advanced training courses for teachers.

Vocational and Higher Education: The Role of Trust in the Formation of Educational and Professional Trajectory

The article compares the impact of student trust on their educational and career trajectories in vocational and higher education. Since 2015, in Russia, enrollment in upper-grade vocational education programs has exceeded enrollment in higher education programs, and increasingly, young people choose TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) institutions. Therefore, interest in studying various factors influencing the specific trajectories in TVET and higher education is growing. One of these factors is trust, which remains insufficiently studied. Trust has a positive effect on various aspects of education (academic achievements, satisfaction, loyalty to the university, etc.), which can directly or indirectly determine the choice of further educational and professional trajectory. The research data comes from a survey of Russian TVET and higher education students. Particularly in higher education, in contrast to TVET, student trust (in other students, teachers and management) influences their plans regarding educational and career trajectories after graduation. However, this influence depends on the subject of trust and on the intended life trajectory.

Bridging and bonding social capital in place-based rural careers advising

AbstractResearch studies continue to document the inequitable access to quality careers education and guidance for rural Australian youth, raising questions about these programs in rural schools. A significant proportion of the existing rural careers education and guidance literature focuses on factors of students’ decision-making, with little attention on the role of the careers advisor. This article explores how rural careers advisors develop and leverage their social capital to create place-based careers education and guidance programs. Drawing on narrative interviews with career advisors in western Victoria, the article uses theories of bridging and bonding social capital as an analytic framework to highlight the risks and opportunities in creating place-based programs. It argues that local knowledge and a strong network of relationships across the local communities assists advisors in tailoring relevant and effective careers education and guidance. This is vital to ensuring rural students have access to the quality careers education and guidance they need to have positive post-school outcomes.

Наставничество в профессиональном образовании

The article analyzes the problem of mentoring in the framework of vocational education, examines the degree of personal relationships between mentor and mentee. It provides an opportunity to understand the importance and relevance of one of the forms of systematic transfer of knowledge and skills by a professional to a young specialist, which is mentoring. Representing the process of introducing a young specialist into professional activity. The author formulates the provisions that make it possible to comprehend the features of mentoring activities carried out by teachers of secondary vocational education in order to form an environment of qualitative formation and intensive development of the process of professional adaptation of a young specialist through mentoring in educational institutions of the Novosibirsk region.

Blended learning as a disruption in a vocational education building program

A building and construction teaching team in a vocational education school (within a university in Melbourne) introduced a blended learning model to one-third of their program. Traditionally, building students are accustomed to a high ratio of face-to-face learning, therefore, this new model disrupted the experience of both teacher and student. The model was examined using e-learning evaluation research methodology and findings are presented using the framework of Glazer’s (2012) characteristics of blended learning. Examination of the program identified areas in need of attention, such as active learning and online interaction and communication. Finally the authors promote the use of Glazer’s framework as a pedagogical evaluation tool for blended learning designs, while drawing out a particular focus on teacher presence as a distinct item in this framework.