IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/zbw/ijrvet/237096.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Transition from low-threshold vocational education and training to work in Switzerland: Factors influencing objective and subjective career success

Author

Listed:
  • Hofmann, Claudia
  • Müller, Xenia
  • Krauss, Annette
  • Häfeli, Kurt

Abstract

Context: There are currently two low-threshold vocational education and training (VET) options in Switzerland for young people at risk: A two-year programme for a Federal VET certificate and a practical training programme designed for young people with special needs. In the present study, we looked at transitions from these programmes to the labour market. Possible influences on objective and subjective indicators of career success, such as social background, personal disposition, and training, were considered. Methods: Data were collected from 418 apprentices in the French- and German-speaking parts of Switzerland at three measurement points: t1, at the beginning of training; t2, upon completion of training; and t3, 10 months later. Participants responded to a written questionnaire. Findings: Ten months after completing their apprenticeships, the majority of participating young people were either employed or continuing their education. Results of the multinomial logistic and linear regressions showed a differentiated, rather than uniform, picture depending on the criteria for career success. The background factors of gender and school (9th grade) were associated with objective success after the apprenticeship ended but not with subjective career success (hypothesis 1). For the variables concerning person disposition and agency (hypothesis 2), we found two plausible associations: A positive attitude towards life helped with unemployment avoidance and a highly self-rated school performance was associated with later satisfaction. As predicted in hypothesis 3, situational factors related to the VET company and school showed a number of significant but sometimes weak associations with objective and subjective career success. Additionally, competencies and support of VET trainers related to continuance in the learned profession. Conclusions: The career development paths of young people are influenced by various background and personality factors, as well as the training situation. VET trainers should be aware of their crucial role and understand how their interventions affect apprentices' self-perceptions and perceptions of their learned professions, which consequently influence their motivations and career aspirations. The situation at the VET school (as a learning and social place) is equally important, especially because of the aim to increase permeability for further training. Young people not in employment, education or training (NEET) are of particular concern. Even though this group is smaller in Switzerland than in most other countries, a number of problematic symptoms can be detected during apprenticeship that point to the need for the prevention of a later NEET status.

Suggested Citation

  • Hofmann, Claudia & Müller, Xenia & Krauss, Annette & Häfeli, Kurt, 2021. "Transition from low-threshold vocational education and training to work in Switzerland: Factors influencing objective and subjective career success," International Journal for Research in Vocational Education and Training (IJRVET), European Research Network in Vocational Education and Training (VETNET), European Educational Research Association, vol. 8(2), pages 136-159.
  • Handle: RePEc:zbw:ijrvet:237096
    DOI: 10.13152/IJRVET.8.2.1
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/237096/1/1766783953.pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.13152/IJRVET.8.2.1?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Nägele, Christof & Neuenschwander, Markus P. & Rodcharoen, Patsawee, 2018. "Higher education in Switzerland: Predictors of becoming engaged in higher vocational or higher academic education - the role of workplace factors," International Journal for Research in Vocational Education and Training (IJRVET), European Research Network in Vocational Education and Training (VETNET), European Educational Research Association, vol. 5(4), pages 264-284.
    2. Beicht, Ursula & Walden, Günter, 2019. "Transition to company-based vocational training in Germany by young people from a migrant background: The influence of region of origin and generation status," International Journal for Research in Vocational Education and Training (IJRVET), European Research Network in Vocational Education and Training (VETNET), European Educational Research Association, vol. 6(1), pages 20-45.
    3. Hofmann, Claudia & Stalder, Barbara E. & Tschan, Franziska & Häfeli, Kurt, 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 (IJRVET), European Research Network in Vocational Education and Training (VETNET), European Educational Research Association, vol. 1(1), pages 1-20.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Lecours, Alexandra & Therriault, Pierre-Yves, 2017. "Supporting vocational students' development of preventive behaviour at work: A phenomenological analysis of teachers' experiences," International Journal for Research in Vocational Education and Training (IJRVET), European Research Network in Vocational Education and Training (VETNET), European Educational Research Association, vol. 4(1), pages 20-46.
    2. Zheng Li & A. Y. M. Atiquil Islam, 2021. "Entrepreneurial Intention in Higher Vocational Education: An Empirically-Based Model With Implications for the Entrepreneurial Community," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(4), pages 21582440211, November.
    3. Park, Kathleen A. & Johnson, Karen R., 2019. "Job satisfaction, work engagement, and turnover intention of CTE health science teachers," International Journal for Research in Vocational Education and Training (IJRVET), European Research Network in Vocational Education and Training (VETNET), European Educational Research Association, vol. 6(3), pages 224-242.
    4. Nägele, Christof & Neuenschwander, Markus P. & Rodcharoen, Patsawee, 2018. "Higher education in Switzerland: Predictors of becoming engaged in higher vocational or higher academic education - the role of workplace factors," International Journal for Research in Vocational Education and Training (IJRVET), European Research Network in Vocational Education and Training (VETNET), European Educational Research Association, vol. 5(4), pages 264-284.
    5. Cournoyer, Louis & Fournier, Geneviève & Masdonati, Jonas, 2017. "Going back-to-school in vocational education and training: Introduction," International Journal for Research in Vocational Education and Training (IJRVET), European Research Network in Vocational Education and Training (VETNET), European Educational Research Association, vol. 4(3), pages 196-205.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:zbw:ijrvet:237096. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://vetnetsite.org/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.