Do I belong in VET?

By Caroline Zoffmann Jessen, czj@sdu.dk, 10/9/2024

Research shows that a completed vocational training improves job opportunities and income. But vocational education is still considered less attractive and has a high drop out rate. There is great interest in ensuring that more students choose and complete a vocational education, and although there have been political measures to strengthen vocational education, the application numbers are still low, and many students drop out.

There are various conditions that can lead to apostasy, the lack of connection between school and internship as well as problems transferring knowledge between the courses on the program. At the same time, personal circumstances such as vulnerabilities and predominantly adverse narratives about VETcan also have a negative impact.

The students' experiences are at the center

In the NarratiVET project, the focus is on the students' own experiences. The project focuses on the students' narratives and perceived belonging to vocational education. Through both qualitative and quantitative methods as well as collaboration with three vocational training courses, the background for the students' choice of a vocational training course is investigated. The goal is that the results can help increase enrollment and retain students.

As part of the project, a vocational education "research-practitioner hub" will be established at the Center for Upper Secondary and VET Research at SDU. Here, collaboration between researchers and practitioners must be facilitated. The Hub will function as a central place for developing strategies to strengthen recruitment and retention and contribute to the research landscape in the vocational education field.

The project is carried out in collaboration with associate professor Eva Lykkegaard, Department of Design, Media and Educational Science.