Support from teachers and trainers in Vocational education and training: The pathways to career aspirations and further career development

Authors

  • Claudia Hofmann University of Applied Science in Special Needs Education
  • Barbara E. Stalder University of Teacher Education, Institute of Upper Secondary Education
  • Franziska Tschan University of Neuchâtel, Institute for Work and Organizational Psychology
  • Kurt Häfeli University of Applied Science in Special Needs Education

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13152/IJRVET.1.1.5

Keywords:

School-to-work transition, special educational needs, learning difficulties, social support, vocational education and training, longitudinal study

Abstract

Transition from school to work is a challenging period for young people with learning difficulties. In the dual vocational system of Switzerland, teachers at vocational educational and training (VET)-schools, as well as trainers at VET companies, provide important support. We were interested in the different pathways from this support to apprentice's career aspirations and further training. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse data from a longitudinal study in four occupational sectors. Results show that VET-teacher support is directly and indirectly related to career aspirations at the end of the apprenticeship, whereas VET-trainer support influences career aspirations only indirectly. Domain specific constructs (ability self-concept at VET-school, skill variety at the VET-company) and self-esteem are important as intermediary variables. Ability self-concept at VET-school had a strong influence on further education three years after the apprenticeship.

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Online First / Final Publication Date

2014-08-31

How to Cite

Hofmann, C., Stalder, B. E., Tschan, F., & Häfeli, K. (2014). Support from teachers and trainers in Vocational education and training: The pathways to career aspirations and further career development. International Journal for Research in Vocational Education and Training, 1(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.13152/IJRVET.1.1.5

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