Vocational Education Research Articles

The Lecturer as a Researcher in a Tertiary Level Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Institution

The Lecturer as a Researcher in a Tertiary Level Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Institution

Dual Vocational Training Students in Andalusia: Perspectives and Challenges

Dual Vocational Training Students in Andalusia: Perspectives and Challenges

The importance of leadership in school management: a study at the Maricá Advanced Campus of Instituto Federal Fluminense

This work comes from the dissertation presented to the Postgraduate Program in Technical and Vocational Education and Training at the IFFluminense. The objective was to analyze the perception of the management staff of the Maricá Advanced Campus of IFFluminense regarding the topic of leadership in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). The population studied was 09 (nine) employees and the research took place in the second half of 2023. The study methodology was developed through bibliographical descriptive research, of qualitative nature. A field research was also carried out, using a printed questionnaire as a data collection instrument, containing structured and semi-structured questions. In carrying out the analysis of the semi-structured responses of the questionnaire, the content analysis procedure was used. The results showed that the managers who participated in the study understand leadership as an attitude, a skill or a capacity. Based on the participants' responses, it was possible to identify some important factors: contributions from leadership to improve school management and contributions from the association between leadership and school management to improving teaching in TVET.

Pathways from school to work: A sequence analysis of non-engaged youth.

Research on heterogeneous pathways in school-to-work transitions (SWT), particularly longitudinal research, has been limited, as have empirical studies examining effective interventions for facilitating multiple SWT pathways among non-engaged youth (NEY), who are generally at risk of being not in education, employment, or training (NEET). To develop a typology of SWT pathways, we conducted sequence analysis with longitudinal data from a sample of 630 NEY aged 14-29 (M = 19.78; 63.65% males) in Hong Kong during a 22-month period beginning in September 2020. We also performed multinomial logistic regressions to assess the impact of career and life development (CLD) interventions on SWT outcomes. Our analysis yielded a fivefold typology of SWT pathways: the Employment/Entrepreneurship cluster (31.27%), the Vocational Education and Training cluster (13.49%), the Generic Education cluster (16.83%), the Serious Leisure Development cluster (15.24%), and the long-term NEET cluster (23.17%). NEY in the intervention group receiving CLD services, inspired by the expanded notion of work (ENOW) and youth development and intervention framework (YDIF), demonstrated significantly higher likelihoods of being in the Employment/Entrepreneurship (OR = 34.5, 95% CI [10.53, 105.08]), Generic Education (OR = 3.74, 95% CI [1.81, 7.74]), Vocational Education and Training (OR = 1.55, 95% CI [1.05, 6.26]), and Serious Leisure Development (OR = 1.77, 95% CI [1.04, 4.46]) clusters than the long-term NEET cluster. Our findings highlight the dynamic, heterogeneous nature of NEY's CLD journeys, including that CLD interventions based on ENOW-YDIF have had a beneficial effect on NEY's multiple SWT pathways.

Implementasi Model Project Based Learning terhadap Hasil Belajar pada Mata Pelajaran Produk Kreatif dan Kewirausahaan (PKK) pada Kelas XI Jurusan Teknik Pemesinan di SMK Negeri 2 Dumai

Vocational education is designed to develop skills, abilities, understanding, teamwork attitudes and an appreciation that includes the knowledge and information needed by a worker to enter and make progress in a useful and productive job. Factors that support the creation of quality graduates are found in the subjects of Creative Products and Entrepreneurship. This study aims to analyze the Implementation of the Project Based Learning Model on Learning Outcomes in Creative Products and Entrepreneurship (PKK) Subjects in Class XI of the Machining Engineering Department at SMK Negeri 2 Dumai. This research is a class action research (PTK) or often also called classroom action research. This Jhon Elliot model classroom action research consists of pre-cycle, first cycle and second cycle to achieve the desired results. This study uses an instrument in the form of an assessment rubric that is used to see student learning outcomes in creative product and entrepreneurship subjects with the application of project-based learning models referring to the results of projects made by students. Based on the results of research and discussion, class action research on the subject of Creative Products and Entrepreneurship in class XI Machining Engineering SMK N 2 Dumai can be concluded as follows. 1) Efforts to improve learning outcomes using project-based learning models in class XI TP in the subject of Creative Products and Entrepreneurship have been successfully implemented and are able to improve student learning outcomes at SMK Negeri 2 Dumai. 2) With the project-based learning model, teachers have other choices in determining learning models so that it can be a solution in improving student learning outcomes.

Changes in all-cause and cause-specific mortality by occupational skill during COVID-19 epidemic in Spain

BackgroundThere is little information on the differential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mortality by occupation. The objective was to examine changes in mortality during the COVID-19 period compared with...

Q & A: A Career in Christian Higher Education: An Interview

Q & A: A Career in Christian Higher Education: An Interview

Human resource development practices and job performance of academic staff of Bishop Stuart University.

This study examined human resource development practices and their impact on academic staff performance. Specifically, it investigated whether training, promotion, job enrichment and organisational policies significantly influence the job performance of academic staff. The study surveyed 158 academic staff members at Bishop Stuart University in Uganda using a quantitative approach and a correlational research design. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires and analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings revealed that job enrichment and organisational policies had a positive and significant impact on academic staff performance. In contrast, training had a negative but significant influence on academic staff performance, and promotion had a positive but insignificant influence on the job performance of academic staff. The study concluded that effective human resource practices, specifically job enrichment and organisational policies, play a crucial role in enhancing academic staff performance. However, limited training opportunities hindered the performance of academic staff. Furthermore, unsatisfactory promotion practices minimally contribute to the job performance of academic staff. The study recommended that university managers implement human resource development practices, namely job enrichment, organisational policies, training, and promotion, to promote job performance.

Use and Design of Virtual Reality-Supported Learning Scenarios in the Vocational Qualification of Nursing Professionals: Scoping Review.

Numerous reviews advocate using virtual reality (VR) in educational contexts. This medium allows learners to test experiences in realistic environments. Virtually supported scenarios offer a safe and motivating way to explore, practice, and consolidate nursing skills in rare and critical nursing tasks. This is also cited as one of the reasons why VR can significantly increase the knowledge acquisition of nursing students. Nevertheless, studies are limited in their significance owing to the chosen design. Despite great interest, this results in a low level of confidence in VR as a curricular teaching method for nursing education. Therefore, defining concrete design and didactic-methodological parameters that support teachers in the use and implementation of VR is more relevant. This scoping review aims to provide an overview of significant design aspects for VR scenario conception and its transfer to generalist nursing education to generate value for the development of teaching scenarios and their sustainable implementation in teaching. A comprehensive literature search was performed using the MEDLINE (via PubMed) and CINAHL databases, and the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews) checklist was applied. The search was conducted from May to July 2022, using a specific search principle corresponding to the focus and the growing study corpus. A previously defined "population, concept, and context" scheme was employed as the basis for the double-blind review of all relevant international German and English publications released up to May 1, 2022. In accordance with the predefined selection procedure, 22 publications were identified. The identified aspects aided in the development of design, didactic, and research recommendations. The intuitive operation of realistically designed VR scenarios, which are standardized, reliable, and modifiable, as well as clear instructions and specific multimodal feedback functions were described positively. The same applied to the linear structure of the sequences with graduated demands and high image quality for increased immersion with low sensory overload. Changes in perspectives, multiuser options, dialogs, and recording functions can contribute to an interactive care practice. On the research side, it is advisable to define VR terminologies. In addition to considering larger samples, varying settings, and financial issues, it is recommended to conduct long-term studies on knowledge acquisition or improved patient outcomes. VR scenarios offer high potential in the context of nursing education if teachers and learners develop them co-creatively according to design features and implement them by means of a well-conceived concept. VR enables trainees to develop practical skills continuously in a standardized way. In addition, its deployment supports the sensitization of trainees to digital nursing technologies and the expansion of their digital skills in a practical setting. Furthermore, it allows sustainability issues to be addressed.

بررسی تأثیر آموزش ضمن خدمت بر توانمندسازی کارمندان

The purpose of this research is to investigate the impact of on job training on the employee’s empowerment of education department in Nimruz Province. This research is practical in terms of purpose and correlational in terms of method, the primary data was collected through questionnaire and was analyzed by SPSS program. Cronbach's alpha was found o.926 which it shows a strong reliability of the instrument. Also, the validity of the questionnaire has been confirmed by a number of experts in the field of economics. To conduct this research, among 130 employees of education department in Nimruz province, 97 people have been randomly selected. The results show that the variables of attitudinal training, knowledge training and skill training have a positive and significant effect on the level of employee empowerment. The research results show that skill training has the greatest effect of 0.409 and attitude training has the least effect of 0.282 on employee empowerment.

Evolution of transgender rights in India: Better late than never.

The progress of transgender rights in India has seen significant strides with milestones such as the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) judgment and the enactment of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act in 2019. The NALSA judgment recognized the right of transgender individuals to self-identify their gender. This decision led to the formal recognition of a 'third gender', advancing legislative and social reforms. Prior to this, transgender individuals faced substantial hurdles, including limited access to education, employment, and healthcare due to a lack of legal recognition. Within a few years, The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act established a framework that safeguards the rights of transgender individuals and prohibits discrimination based on gender. This legislation requires the government to take measures like promoting education, providing vocational training opportunities, ensuring accessible healthcare services, and offering social security support. It also addresses the healthcare needs of transgender individuals thereby contributing to their overall well being. The Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise (SMILE) program and Garima Greh are initiatives that provide spaces and empower a marginalized transgender individuals and promoting their inclusion, justice and empowerment. This article explores the progress pertaining to transgender rights and welfare, while highlighting efforts undertaken by the Indian government.

Caregiver burden and risk of epithelial ovarian cancer in the Nurses' Health Studies.

Psychosocial stress may increase ovarian cancer risk and accelerate disease progression. We examined the association between caregiver burden, a common stressor, and risk of epithelial ovarian cancer. We prospectively followed 67,724 women in the Nurses' Health Study (NHS; 1992-2012) and 70,720 women in the NHSII (2001-2009) who answered questions on informal caregiving (i.e., caregiving outside of work). Women who reported no informal caregiving were considered non-caregivers while, among women who provided care outside of work, caregiver burden was categorized by time spent caregiving and perceived stress from caregiving. For the 34% of women who provided informal care for ≥15 hours per week, 42% described caregiving as moderately to extremely stressful. Pooled multivariate analyses indicated no difference in ovarian cancer risk for women providing ≥15 hours of care per week compared to non-caregivers (hazard ratio (HR)=0.96; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.79-1.18), and no association was evident for women who reported moderate or extreme stress from caregiving compared to non-caregivers (HR=0.96; 95% CI: 0.75-1.22). Together with prior work evaluating job strain and ovarian cancer risk, our findings suggest that, when evaluating a stressor's role in cancer risk, it is critical to consider how the stressor contributes to the overall experience of distress.

Empowering educators: addressing drug abuse among students in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges

ABSTRACT Addressing drug abuse is crucial in South Africa, especially in Technical and Vocational Education. This study examines educator training for managing student substance abuse. The study utilised a non-experimental quantitative exploratory design, surveying all 337 educators from selected Technical and Vocational Education and Training colleges in South Africa’s Limpopo Province. The study discovered that educators consistently linked certain behaviours with suspected student drug abuse, facilitating early identification. However, there was notable diversity in how educators proposed handling students with suspected drug abuse, with a significant portion lacking training in this area. The research highlighted varying perspectives on the significance of educator-student relationships. It points out the crucial need for comprehensive training for Technical and Vocational Education and Training college educators in addressing student drug abuse. The findings provide a foundation for future research and interventions in this domain, not only in South Africa but also in similar educational settings globally.

Exploring Pedagogical and Digital Practices in Vocational Education and Training: Comparing Teacher and Student Perspectives

This article investigates the pedagogical and digital practices of vocational education and training teachers, offering comparative insights from both teacher and student perspectives. To this end, two questionnaires were constructed for teachers and students and then validated by means of inter-judge procedures and expert review. The questionnaires were administered to representative samples of 158 teachers and 309 students in intermediate and higher vocational education and training programs in the Spanish region of Catalonia. Thanks to institutional collaboration, it was possible to obtain both samples by a non-probability sampling technique. The results obtained from the quantitative analyses performed show that while most vocational education and training teachers utilize a combination of active and lecture-based methods, less than a third incorporate online tools, prioritizing institutional platforms. Although both teachers and students acknowledge a diversity of teaching strategies, the latter, particularly female students and those in advanced years or on dual programs, tend to be more critical of the effectiveness of the teaching strategies employed compared to their teachers. The findings underscore the need for vocational education and training programs to enhance digital tool integration and address the varying perceptions of teaching effectiveness to better meet students’ expectations and needs.

Samira Siahrostami.

"The most important future applications of my research include revolutionizing hydrogen peroxide production processes across various industries by providing cost-effective and sustainable methods… If I were not a scientist, I might have pursued a career in education, advocacy, or a creative field like writing or painting, where I could share knowledge, inspire others, and make a positive impact…" Find out more about Samira Siahrostami in her Introducing… Profile.

Economic Growth through Determinants of Technical and Vocational Education and Training in Pakistan: Mediating Role of Human Resource Development

Economic Growth through Determinants of Technical and Vocational Education and Training in Pakistan: Mediating Role of Human Resource Development

P-722 What is the state of well-being among professionals working in French Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) centers?

Abstract Study question What is the state of well-being among professionals working in French Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) centers? Summary answer Over 35% of French ART professionals experience job strain, and an additional 21% lack social support, posing risks of stress, burnout, and physical health issues. What is known already The health of professionals is notably impacted by the psychosocial work environment, where stress arises from imbalances between demands and available resources. Job strain, characterized by high psychological demands and low decision latitude, can lead to negative health outcomes, especially when combined with poor social support. Research on the well-being of diverse ART teams is scarce. Previous studies focused on burnout risk among embryologists in the US, Spain, and the UK, leaving other professional categories unexplored. A wider understanding of the psychosocial dynamics within ART centers is crucial for promoting a supportive work environment and limiting stress-related challenges among professionals. Study design, size, duration This cross-sectional study aims at evaluating the state of well-being among professionals working in the 104 French ART centers. An online survey was distributed via email to potential participants from November 2023 to January 2024. The questionnaire was built upon Karasek and Siegrist’s models. It included 26 queries assessing psychological demands, decision latitude, and social support, along with 23 questions evaluating effort, rewards, and perceived control. Additional questions covered personal and professional details. Participants/materials, setting, methods Responses were scored based on predefined points for psychological demand, decision latitude, job support, extrinsic efforts, and rewards. According to Karasek model, job strain combines high psychological demands (score >21) with low decision latitude (score <70). Isostrain, a more severe form of job strain, adds low social support (score <24) to job strain. Siegrist’s model identifies work situations with an imbalance between extrinsic efforts and rewards (ratio effort/reward >1). Main results and the role of chance The study included 464 participants (13% participation rate), including biologists (n = 129, 28%), gynecologists (n = 125, 27%), embryologists (n = 106, 23%), secretaries (n = 51, 11%), midwifes (n = 31, 6%) and other professions (n = 22, 5%). Most professionals were women (81.5%), while the remaining where men (18.1%) mainly biologists and gynecologists, and non-binary individuals (0.4%). Among all professionals, 164 (36%) experience job strain, while others either fell in active (n = 186, 40%), relaxed (n = 68, 15%) or passive (n = 41, 9%) categories. Furthermore, 80 (21%) professionals were in an isostrain situation. A total of 15% of professionals experience an imbalance between their extrinsic efforts and rewards. Multivariate analysis showed that women (OR 2.10 [1.07; 4.11]), public centers (OR 1.86 [1.13; 3.08]), embryologists (OR 9.26 [4.90; 17.50]), and secretaries (OR 5.78 [2.75; 12.17]) exhibited higher job strain risks compared to men, for-profit private centers, and gynecologists. Gender and function also showed significant associations with isostrain risk. Moreover, working 10 hours per day for 5-6 days weekly (OR 4.75 [1.47; 15.37]), along with functions of embryologists (OR 7.58 [2.21; 26.05]) and secretaries (OR 4.41 [1.20; 16.18]), were independently associated with an effort/reward imbalance, compared to a 4-day weekly work schedule and the function of gynecologist, respectively. Limitations, reasons for caution Due to the email distribution method, some professionals might not have received the survey. Sampling or non-response bias may result in the underrepresentation of specific individuals, limiting the generalizability of the findings. Finally, used scales might not fully capture all psycho-emotional aspects, such as burnout levels or quality of life. Wider implications of the findings 35% of French ART professionals face psychosocial imbalance, exceeding the general population’s rate (23.2%, Sumer study, 2003). Job strain may affect care quality (Scheepers et al., 2015), so research is needed to understand its causes and potential impact. Organizational and managerial improvements could constitute preventive approaches to stress and burnout. Trial registration number Not applicable

Professional and Technological Education (EPT) in Brazil From the Perspective of Laws Nº 11,892/2008 and Nº 9,394/1996

Objective: Investigate the process of creation and development of EPT in Brazil from the perspective of Laws nº 11,892/2008 and nº 9,394/1996, going through concepts and applications of EPT in the Brazilian scenario. Theoretical Framework: The acronym EPT has its origins in references to vocational education, more directly, referring to technical courses or any other whose main objective is to prepare the individual to take on a certain position in the job market (Dallabona; Fariniuk, 2016) . Thinking about this model of professional education, Law 11,892 of December 29, 2008 (Law creating IFETs), following the premises of Law No. 9,394/1996 (Education Guidelines and Bases Law), created IFETs, a general system of education that added the term “Technological” to its scope to indicate that this professional training could also occur at the undergraduate level, in Technology courses (Brasil, 2008). Method: This literature review began with searches in national databases, such as “SciELO” and “Google Scholar”, using combinations of words such as “professional education”; “professional and technological education”; “EPT in Brazil”; “EPT history”; “difference between traditional education and EPT”; among other similar ones. Initially, the criterion was used to evaluate the titles of articles, books, or chapters found, followed by reading their summaries (Costa et al. 2016). As the works were studied more deeply, other relevant references were found in the body of the text that had not been found in the initial searches and they were incorporated into the bibliographic corpus of this article (Ferreira et al., 2017). Results and Discussion: EPT in Brazil emerged in a cultural context under which the traditional contents of science, literature and humanities were recognized as being the only possible and viable means of education, normally aimed at a restricted part of the population, the Brazilian elite (Dallabona; Fariniuk , 2016). At that time, vocational education was seen as an instrumental aspect of work-oriented education, which did not provide access to higher education, unless the individual underwent a test of theoretical knowledge, which, in practice, represented humanist content. traditional schools (Kuenzer, 2007). With the aim of overcoming these gaps and breaking the historical structures of prejudice, the EPT was created in Brazil. Research Implications: The implementation of IFETs in Brazil was successful and the fruits harvested from these actions were recognized by the Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC) and the population. However, the federal education network has gone through a challenging process of permanence and precarious operating conditions in recent years. Given this, it is understood that the expansion of EPT needs to occur in quantitative and qualitative terms. To this end, the successful EPT experiences that the Federal Government left spread across the country should be used as a model, taking advantage of the growth potential; synergy; and the strength that IFEs have in Brazil (Dallabona & Fariniuk, 2016). Originality/Value: The number of scientific research publications has evolved significantly in recent decades and the increase in productivity has stimulated the creation of technologies and methods for understanding scientific mechanisms (Lovatto et al., 2007). However, the high number of publications has become a problem in terms of selection and qualified analysis of literature on a given topic (Lovatto et al., 2007). Given this, without the intention of exhausting the discussion on the topic, this research summarized the process of creation and development of EPT in Brazil from the perspective of Laws nº 11,892/2008 and nº 9,394/1996, going through concepts and applications of this teaching model in the Brazilian context.

Bridging gaps, building futures: evaluating a multinational’s employment programme vs. work-first for youth with diverse education levels

ABSTRACT In the Netherlands, public work-first support tends to cause unemployed young people to exit into primarily non-standard jobs. A worldwide-renowned Dutch company, Royal Philips, has offered since the mid-1980s a two-year lasting work experience and vocational training programme to long-term unemployed youth as an alternative to public work-first support. This quasi-experimental study uses data from the company programme's participants and national longitudinal register data for the matched control group receiving public work-first support. The present study observes the employment impact of this private company's employment programme compared to the public programme for inadequately skilled youth (aged 16–35) by education level. Participants’ employment levels are compared with a carefully matched public work first-subjected control group up to a maximum of ten years later. Fixed-effects panel regression models show that, due to its upskilling and work experience features, the employment programme positively affects sustained wage-fitted employment over ten years compared with the control group subjected to public work-first support. The programme's employment effect associated with upskilling is achieved notably with low-educated participants who received vocational training. In contrast, participating high-educated young people seem to profit from human capital and signalling effects.

The Docking of Talent Training Strategies and Job Market in Higher Vocational Colleges Under the Background of Slow and Difficult Employment

Students in higher vocational colleges are faced with difficult problems such as slow employment, which highlights the dislocation between education and the market. This study surveyed thousands of students and hundreds of enterprises, and put forward docking strategies. The analysis shows that the mismatch between skills adaptation and literacy is the main cause of slow employment. To this end, research and design training programs, including curriculum restructuring, school-enterprise cooperation practice platforms, and employment-oriented quality improvement plans are imperative. At the same time, we will develop teaching modules for career planning to enhance competitiveness and ensure that the content is synchronized with industry standards. After the implementation, the employment rate of students increased by 15% within six months, the degree of interconnection increased by 20%, and the degree of enterprise recognition increased by 25%. The research effectively promotes the docking of higher vocational education with the market, and has far-reaching significance for easing slow employment.