BRIDGING THE LABOUR SHORTAGE THROUGH VOCATIONAL ORIENTATION AT AN EARLY STAGE OF EDUCATION – THE GERMAN EXPERIENCE

The changes in the labour market which have taken place in recent years mean that there is a need to educate young people in deficit occupations and fields of study. The increased interest in general education has resulted in a shortage of skilled workers in the EU labour markets, which small, medium, and large enterprises face. This problem is particularly evident in countries with a low level of links between vocational training and business. Countries with an education system based on cooperation with business are in a better situation, which does not mean a need to increase interest in vocational training. Based on literature research and own experience, the article presents the German model of dual vocational education, which can be used to promote vocational education. The authors presented the system and structure of education in Germany and analysed the dual education model against this structure. They showed the advantages of this system and analysed the threats related to the decreasing number of trainees. Despite the system, many initiatives related to vocational orientation are implemented in Germany. They aim at orienting young people to vocational training by getting to know the specifics of a profession already at an early age in primary school. This article describes empirical experiences from visits to the BVTU (Bildungsverbund Thüringer Unternehmen e.v.) in Thuringia of an association of training companies involved in the BERUFSSTART plus project on early career choice. An analysis of the rolled-out project, its objectives and effects were made. The described activities can be regarded as good practices, adapted and used in other countries. It was pointed out that activities related to career orientation should be an essential part of all stakeholders' activities to ensure a sufficient number of employees with high professional qualifications for the labour market.

Enhancing student retention. A study in private higher education institutions in the South East of México

In a study I conducted in local private higher education institutions, it was observed that the most important reasons for student retention are outstanding personalized attention by tutors, school authorities, staff and professors, followed by the economic factor and academic achievement. So, quality in attention is the first step for creating a positive learning environment for students to engage in their own learning, making schools become places where talent and opportunities meet. Then, more than thinking in retaining students through financial strategies, marketing efforts or trying to amaze them with impressive buildings and facilities, there must be better academic tutoring and vocational orientation, less students per tutor and more effectiveness for solving their problems, also eliminating useless remedial courses. Close and frequent relation with school authorities is very important for enhancing confidence.

Coaching strategies in vocational orientation for promoting young women’s self-concept and career aspirations in chemistry

Females and students of non-dominant ethnicity are less likely to aspire to science careers. However, overcoming discrimination in science and chemistry is a challenging task, especially in vocational orientation. Thus, there is a need for strategies to support young women in their identity formation in science and chemistry. This article presents a scheme for supporting young women’s science identity formation in conversations about vocational orientation. The goal is to support young women in developing a positive attitude towards careers in chemistry. This attitude is part of cultural chemistry capital. The scheme was developed based on a study conducted as part of the project DiSenSu. Here, coachings for vocational orientation for young women in science and chemistry are provided, following the idea of Science in Public. In the coaching, the attitudes towards science and chemistry were determined using quantitative data. Based on these results, coaches conducted conversations with the participants. Qualitative analysis of 11 conversations revealed strategies coaches used to support young women in their vocational orientation. The study shows how the participants’ attitude towards careers in chemistry is used as a starting point for coachings. Also, it provides strategies that can be used to promote young women’s cultural chemistry capital.

The Role of Gender and Culture in Vocational Orientation in Science

Females and people belonging to ethnic minorities tend to be underrepresented in science occupations. The goal of this paper was to investigate the needs of students of different gender and ethnicity in terms of vocational orientation in order to tailor future interventions to their needs. This paper finds that students of different gender and cultural background differ in their preferences in terms of vocational orientation in science. Two studies were conducted: (1) secondary school students (N = 450) were asked about their current activities and needs in terms of vocational orientation; (2) university students’ (N = 342) retrospective views on their vocational orientation were investigated. Among the secondary school students (1), we found no significant differences in science aspirations, when differentiating between students’ culture and their gender. However, females with migration background tended to wish for information from different sources than other students (contacts with university, teacher feedback, i.e., more formal/professional sources). Male participants without migration background tended to rely more strongly on informal sources such as online video platforms. This study (2) confirmed the finding that more professional feedback would be beneficial. These findings suggest that vocational orientation in science should be more specific to the target group in order to reach those who are currently underrepresented in science.

Psychological difficulties & school psychology support for Junior high school & High school students in Ho Chi Minh City

This study aims to survey the state of psychological health, specifically the psychological difficulties of 231 junior high school and high school students in Ho Chi Minh City (111 high school pupils & 120 junior high school pupils) through a self-report survey on those areas: (1) Study; (2) Psychophysiological development; (3) Communication with friends; (4) Communication with parents; (5) Communication with teachers. 111 high schoolersalso completed one more area, which is vocational orientation. Research results showed that junior high schoolersface the most difficulties in the field of study, high school students have the most difficulties in the field of study, vocational orientation and psychological development. The level of psychological difficulty in pupils are different in terms of grade level, gender, education, family's economic situation, and mother's educational level. The study also showed that junior and high school students often choose to solve their psychological difficulties by sharing with friends, confiding with their parents, relatives and participating in collective activities. About half of the students were satisfied with the schoolpsychological support givento them. Most teachers believed that students should be assisted by psychologists, not teachers and school facilities regarding this problem.

Orientação Vocacional: Teoria e Prática / Vocational Orientation: Theory and Practice

A Orientação Vocacional ainda assusta muitos profissionais, afinal lidar com a orientação ao futuro de outra pessoa é algo muito sério e ao mesmo tempo um grande desafio para o orientador. A teoria pode ser aprendida nos bancos acadêmicos, através de boas leituras, na troca de experiências, mas a prática ao se profissionalizar e decidir a orientação, daí a importância de uma reflexão acerca da Teoria e Prática da Orientação Vocacional em um trabalho sucinto e de fácil entendimento para os profissionais e interessados pelo tema.