Vocational Centers Research Articles

Caractéristiques du tabagisme chez les adolescents en Centre de formation des apprentis

Background Most smokers start smoking during adolescence and become dependent before 20 years old. In France, vocational trainees are a population not much explored. The objective of our study is to present tobacco use characteristics among apprentices in Vocational Centers (VC). Methods This cross-sectional exhaustive study covered 1814 students (among whose 943 smokers) entering in a 1st year of the eight participating Vocational Centers in the Lorraine region (Eastern France, 2.3 million inhabitants, 16,500 vocational trainees), during the school years 2007–2008 and 2008–2009. Data collection concerned the sociocultural environment, tobacco use habits, degree of dependency to tobacco and co-addictions. Results Among the study population, 52.0% declared they were smokers among whom 89.4% daily smokers, and 5.7% were ex-smokers. The average age of tobacco use initiation was 12.1 years (standard deviation [SD] = 2.1) and the average age at inception of regular cigarette smoking was 13.8 years (SD = 1.6). Current consumption of the smokers was 12.8 cigarettes per day (SD = 7.8). The average score of smoking addiction was 6.1 (SD = 2.8), according to the Hooked On Nicotine checklist test (score from 0 to 10 = strongly dependent). Finally, 37.1% of students (58.9% among smokers) smoked or have smoked cannabis. Conclusion The high prevalence of smoking in Vocational Centers, the early start of tobacco use and the high tobacco consumption among apprentices show that they are overexposed compared to the general population of adolescents. In addition, these young people are already dependant to tobacco use. This underlines the need of specific measures dedicated to this population that amounts to 361,500 individuals in France.

Health Promotion Program on Reduction of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

Disease prevention for persons with intellectual disabilities (ID) has been recognized as an under researched area. Health promotion programs integrating structured and multiple approaches to reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors for persons with ID are imperative and greatly needed. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a 12-week theoretical-based health promotion program in reduction of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors for older adults with ID. METHODS: A total of 33 older adults with ID (Age in yr.: M = 39.18, SD = 9.49, Range = 30 to 70; Gender, Males = 33.3%, Females = 66.7%) was recruited to participate in a 12-week health promotion program (3 day per week and 90 minutes per day) at a local educational and vocational center in Taiwan. The 12-week health promotion program included health education and exercise components using Transtheoretical Model (TTM) as a framework. The direct caregivers of participants with ID were closely involved throughout the intervention program. Pre- and post-measures include weight, height, waist circumference, resting blood pressure, skinfolds, as well as fasting plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol, and glucose. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) for repeated measures was computed to examine statistically significant differences between pre and post measures. RESULTS: The findings of the repeated MANOVA revealed significant differences in the outcome measures (Pillai's Trace =.681, F(5,23) =7.844, p=.000). The univariate tests indicated that weight, waist circumferences, as well as fasting plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol, and glucose levels were significantly decreased after the intervention program. CONCLUSIONS: The reductions of CVD risk factors as results of the health promotion program are concluded. The impacts of specific intervention components (i.e., health education and exercise) contributing to the changes in diet and physical activity patterns that indirectly influence the reduction of CVD risk factors were not further examined in this study. Longitudinal research examining changes in health and CVD risk factors as a result of behavioral changes (i.e., diet and physical activity behavior changes) following a TTM approach intervention is needed.

Socio-Demographic Characteristics Of Adults Screened For Hiv/Aids In A Rural Community In Benue State, Nigeria

Background: Benue state has been considered among the ‘hot zones’ for HIV/AIDS in Nigeria with a prevalence rate of 9.3 among adults aged 15 to 45 years. Yet, there is paucity of information on the socio-demographic factors associated with this level of prevalence. We hereby report the prevalence and socio-demographic factors associated with HIV among adults in Abwa-Mbagene, Benue state, Nigeria.Methods: Adults in Abwa-Mbagene community who accepted to participate between 9th and 24th of August 2007 were recruited. After counselling, screening was done using ‘Determine HIV’ kit.Results: 153 subjects (74 males and 79 females) were recruited. Their age ranges from 15 to 60 years (Mean: 26.2years). Fourty-two (27.5%) consisting of 12 (16.2%) males and 30 (38%) females were positive for HIV (male to female ratio, 2:5). The prevalence of HIV was higher among the divorcees (50%); those whose level of education was primary school (41.3%) and below and; farmers (60%). Majority (96%) knows AIDS exists, 85% are informed on mode and prevention of HIV transmission. Cases of AIDS deaths, unprotected casual sex, blood transfusion with unscreened blood and polygamy are common in the community. The single most important cultural factors in HIV transmission identified is indulgence in night parties, which increased the rate of unprotected casual sex.Conclusion: This community represents a high HIV/AIDS prevalence spot in Benue State, Nigeria. There is therefore the need for the establishment of HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT), Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT), save blood and antiretroviral treatment services in the community. Vocational centers to engage single women and improve their financial state will boost preventive strategies. Finally, partnership with community leaders towards discouraging night parties will reduce the prevalence of HIV in the community.

Adolescent Street Boy Urchins and Vocational Training in Northern Nigeria

In northern Nigeria, over 80% of the unskilled and uneducated adolescent street boys, or Almajiris, are from the ethnic Hausa-Fulani tribes. They depend on street begging and menial jobs for daily survival. In dealing with the situation, state vocational centers were established as the Millennium Hope Project (MHP) to provide the boys with trades and skills for self-reliance and socioeconomic transformations. This article presents findings from an educational policy evaluation research study of the MHP implementation and outcomes. The research was based on an ethnographic approach using multimodal data derived from interviews and observations and data analysis-involved transcription, categorization, and coding. Major themes include the cultural identities and statuses of the boys, curriculum implementation and management of the project, socioeconomic transformation of learning outcome, and the challenges and positive impacts of the MHP on the boys. The themes are discussed using the boys' “voices” and pertinent literature. The conclusion includes educational policy remedies for future reforms and modification of the project.

Challenging Issues Faced by Tailoring and Dressmaking Vocational Training Centres in Eldoret Municipality

The main objective of this study was to investigate the challenging issues faced by church-based training institutions in Eldoret municipality who offer dressmaking and tailoring skills to the youth. Data was collected from 32 students and four teachers using questionnaire and from three managers and eight students who have graduated using interview schedule and analyzed using statistics. The study revealed that female trainees seek training to gain skill for paid or self-employment. It was also revealed that the teachers were qualified and some trainees dropped out of school because of marriage and teenage pregnancy. The study further revealed that students who sit for examinations perform well and appreciated attachment in the curriculum. The study recommends that institutions start a microfinance loan scheme to assist graduates who are interested in self-employment and vocational centres should include enterprise education in their curriculum to equip graduates with business skills.

Social Problem-Solving Skills Training for Adults With Mild Intellectual Disability: A Multiple Case Study

AbstractSocial problem-solving training has been successful in improving maladaptive behaviour and problem-solving skills for individuals with intellectual disability. However, in contrast to individuals without intellectual disability there has been only one study that has examined whether social problem-solving training can improve psychological distress in individuals with intellectual disability and a psychiatric diagnosis. Three participants from a vocational community centre with mild intellectual disability, comorbid mental illness, and challenging behaviour, participated in 15 individually delivered sessions of social problem-solving training. Social problem-solving skill, behaviour, and psychological distress measures were used to assess outcome. All three participants showed improvement in social problem-solving skills, and two participants showed improvement in depression. Improvement was maintained at 4-week follow-up. The results provide preliminary evidence that social problem-solving training could be an effective intervention tool for the treatment of psychological distress in individuals with mild intellectual disability.

Autonomy of (Vocational) Schools as an Answer to Structural Changes

In Europe a very intensive discussion is in full swing as to whether vocational schools should in future be guided and monitored by the state or whether they should be freed from state dependency. Within the framework of a number of pilot projects in German-speaking countries, vocational school centres are currently testing their autonomy. This article sketches out the discussion on a way forward. Adopting a learner-centred perspective showed that formal education and training provide only a small part of what is learned at work. Most of the learning described by the interviewees was non-formal, neither clearly specified nor planned. It arose naturally out of the demands and challenges of work, solving problems, improving quality and/or productivity, or coping with change – and out of social interactions in the workplace. The outcome of such ‘learning from experience’ was the development of knowledge, skills and understanding, although this was difficult to explain to others. Effective learning was, however, dependent on confidence, motivation and capability – prerequisites for employees’ self-management of much of their learning. (Michael Eraut et al, 1998, p. 10ff).

Validation of the Subjective and Objective Family Burden Interview (SOFBI/ECFOS) in primary caregivers to adults with intellectual disabilities living in the community

There is little information on the psychometric properties of instruments for assessing family care burden in adults with intellectual disabilities (ID). The aim of this study is therefore to analyse the usefulness of the 'Subjective and Objective Family Burden Interview' (SOFBI) in the assessment of principal caregivers in Spain. The SOFBI was administered to 166 principal caregivers of adults with ID in a vocational centre. The psychometric analysis included: internal consistency, inter-rater and test-retest reliability, construct validity, convergent validity with the World Health Organization's Disability Assessment Schedule II, and feasibility. The Cronbach's alpha was 0.88 for the overall interview and always above 0.7 in the quantitative subdomains. The Kappa coefficients for test-retest were between 0.5 and 0.8, whereas inter-rater agreement was nearly perfect. Maximum-likelihood factor analysis showed four well-defined factors, which fitted the previously designed domains. Feasibility was also good. The SOFBI is a multi-domain, modular instrument which is feasible, reliable and valid for measuring the burden of family caregivers to adults with ID living in the community.

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Vocational Centres in Fiji Schools: A needs analysis

A needs analysis was conducted into the issues facing the Technical and Vocational Education sector in Fiji. Vocational Centre teachers, Principals and an Education Officer were interviewed, and their responses analysed. The survey pointed to the difficulties currently experienced by the Vocational Centres in the face of poor facilities and equipment, but was encouraging in the sense that teachers were approaching their jobs with flexibility and initiative in the face of the difficulties. The recommendations to arise from the research included rationalising ofscarce resources, upgrading teacher qualifications, establishing clearer pathways between the vocational program in secondary schools and that in the centres, the determination of a strategic plan for expansion and innovation in approaches to practical placements in the workforce.

Transitional Support for a Child with Intellectual Disability by Collaborating Employers and a Local Vocational Center for Persons with Disabilities

Transitional Support for a Child with Intellectual Disability by Collaborating Employers and a Local Vocational Center for Persons with Disabilities

Co‐operative education in the pulp and paper sector in Quebec

Using the concept of “community of practice” and a typology developed by Guile and Griffiths, this article characterizes the quality and the nature of learning students achieved while studying in a newly‐implemented pulp and paper vocational program, structured as a co‐operative education program and offered by six school boards throughout the province of Quebec, Canada. The observations come from a five‐year long action research program involving registered students, trainers in vocational centers, and work supervisors in pulp and paper mills. The conclusion highlights the structural barriers in pulp and paper mills that limit students’ access to operations. This co‐op education program is traditional according to the Guile and Griffiths’ typology.

Vocational rehabilitation in German vocational retraining centres and results of Berufsförderungswerk Heidelberg gGmbH

The article focuses on the results of vocational integration over the last two decades and on actual results from client-surveys as presented by the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Deutscher Berufsförderungswerke (ADB) (working group of the German vocational retraining centres) and the Berufsförderungswerk Heidelberg (BFW Heidelberg, the vocational retraining centre in Heidelberg). Process quality of vocational rehabilitation can be indicated by data like the number of persons dropping out of their training - the ratio to be found in the vocational retraining centres is on a lower level than in other institutions of vocational training. Clients have changed: during the last decade the average age of the clients in the BFW Heidelberg has increased by 3 years, there is a higher proportion of women, but there also are more clients with psychological disorders. A new group of clients is growing - non-handicapped persons who pay for their training themselves. Process quality has improved, with graduates of the BFW Heidelberg saying significantly more often that they can use much or very much of the training courses' contents within their later occupational activities -- the proportion increases with the level of training they had undergone. Additionally the proportion of those is growing who see themselves in an -- according to their training -- adequate occupational situation. These are certainly positive results referring to the indicators of process quality. Concerning outcome quality one has to take the levels of occupational integration into account. Compared with the results of German vocational retraining centres overall, graduates of the Heidelberg centre constantly had a higher level of vocational integration over the last 20 years, one of the reasons being that the vocational training offered in Heidelberg reaches up to the level of degree of a university of applied sciences. The situation on the job market strongly influences occupational integration: it is evident that a high rate of unemployment will extend the time span necessary for placement. But in the long run occupational integration proves to be amazingly high. Variables that influence the results are: level of disability, sex, age and marital status. The level of vocational qualification is a characteristic with high evidence: integration of graduates at the level of "Fachschule" (highly skilled technician or the like) is 10 % higher and that of graduates at the level of "Fachhochschule" (university of applied sciences) another 10 %. Participation in vocational rehabilitation generally is highly estimated -- estimation as given two years after the training increases with the level of qualification. In the Heidelberg centre progress is seen in expanding the proportions of special target groups (which of course is politically aimed at): women now account for some 30 %, there are more elderly clients and for example also more clients with psychological disorders. The vocational integration of these various groups has to be regarded under different aspects. For example, the situation of severely disabled clients is quite ambivalent: their proportion is falling and their rate of occupational integration is relatively low -- yet there are effects that may compensate. So the importance of the disability decreases with a rising level of vocational training. The data presented may permit the conclusion that vocational rehabilitation at the Heidelberg centre has become more successful over the last decade.

Treatment Plan for Clients of Vocational Centers and Special Care Residential Units

This paper explores the possibility of using panels to trace the history of a client’s right to quality life. The distinguishing mark of this approach is that the client is viewed in the perspective of becoming more truly personal rather than on being human. The focus is on relations. The three streams of associations that make us who we are exist at the level of psyche, other persons, and the environment. That approach to client care allows us to fine tune the fragile ratio of client needs to staff resources. The process is illustrated through the development of a treatment plan for an adult female resident exhibiting bipolar disorder and paranoid schizophrenia.

The Past, Present, and Future of Career Counseling in Taiwan

The development of career counseling in Taiwan during the last 40 years suggests priorities for future development. Although many of the basic constructs of career counseling are used in Taiwan, cultural differences are also apparent. At the earliest stage of career development in Taiwan (1960–1980), career guidance was managed through vocational centers and government agencies. The focus was almost exclusively on school‐aged youth seeking employment. At the middle stage (1980–1990), the terms for career counseling were being translated into Chinese, and trained Career Counselors were returning from study abroad. The emphasis was primarily on educational systems. At the present stage (1990‐present), career counseling was provided to adults outside the school setting and corporations were organizing their own career counseling services. The future presents many conflicts between Western and Asian values, traditional or modern demands, and self or family interests. Technological advances in testing and information sciences provide opportunities and problems for career counselors.

Components of Engagement: Women in a Psychoeducational Parenting Skills Group in Substance Abuse Treatment

ABSTRACT This account of seven mothers in substance abuse treatment examines their engagement in a fifteen week psychoeducational parenting skills group using a model of engagement developed by Mark Macgowan for social work groups. The women in this study were interviewed at three treatment settings where the program had been conducted: a women's residential treatment center, an educational/ vocational day treatment center and an outpatient methadone maintenance treatment program. The components of engagement that are presented here include contracting, requisite attendance and writing requirements, participation in structured group activities and interpersonal peer and staff relationships.

Hidden psychiatric morbidity in a vocational programme for people with intellectual disability

The aim of the present study was to assess the point-prevalence of psychiatric disorders according to DSM-III-R criteria and the hidden morbidity in individuals with intellectual disability working in a vocational setting. The present study was carried out in a vocational centre in Southern Spain which is considered to be a model for social integration. One hundred and thirty workers with intellectual disability were interviewed by two experienced clinicians using the Assessment and Information Rating Profile, DSM-III-R criteria, and the General Assessment of Functioning and Clinical Global Impression scales. The point-prevalence of psychiatric morbidity, hidden morbidity and treatment adequacy were estimated. Morbidity was hidden (i.e. not previously diagnosed) in 50% of psychiatric cases. Forty-two (32.3%) subjects had a psychiatric diagnosis with the following distribution: schizophrenia (17.7%), other psychotic disorders (9.23%), mood disorders (4.61%), adaptive disorders (2.31%), anxiety disorders (1.54%) and other psychiatric disorders (6.15%). Treatment was judged inadequate in 30% of subjects. The point-prevalence of psychiatric problems in a vocational setting in Spain was similar to that found in other environments. Hidden morbidity was similar to that found in primary care. The present study highlights the need for standardized instruments for psychiatric assessment in non-clinical settings as well as specific training in this area.

Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior in the Treatment of Inappropriate Behavior and Aggression in an Adult with Mental Retardation at a Vocational Center

Differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) was used to reduce aggression and other inappropriate actions in a 26-year-old man with moderate mental retardation employed at a vocational center. Initially high baseline levels of inappropriate behavior were reduced by implementing contingent praise and a sticker system used to earn points needed to gain access to social activities. The procedure was low cost, required minimal time and effort on the part of center staff, and made it possible for the client to remain employed at the vocational center.