European Youth’s voices on VET
European Youth’s voices on VET (WP4) of the VETPrep project is dedicated to understanding and amplifying the voices of students in vocational education and training (VET) programs across Europe. This work package recognizes that students are the heart of VET, and their experiences, aspirations, and challenges must be at the forefront of our efforts to improve these programs.
The overall objective of WP4 is to draw attention to students’ past and present educational aspirations and experiences, as well as their negotiation and renegotiation of central meanings and identification related to education and VET. By examining these actors, we aim to identify the experiences that may play a role in fostering students’ engagement in VET and sustaining their retention in these programs.
To achieve this objective, WP4 will employ a range of innovative and inclusive research methods designed to capture student voices across European nations. These methods will be developed in collaboration with students themselves, ensuring that the research process is participatory and empowering. By taking students’ voices and experiences at face value, we aim to build new knowledge of practical value about a post-pandemic
youth cohort.
The specific objectives of WP4 are threefold. First, we aim to develop and use methods capable of capturing student voices across European nations. This will involve a comprehensive review of existing research methods, as well as the development of new approaches tailored to the unique needs and experiences of VET students. Second, we will take students’ voices, experiences, and aspirations at face value, recognizing the inherent value and validity of their perspectives. Finally, we will build new knowledge of practical value about a post-pandemic youth cohort, providing insights that can inform the development of more effective and inclusive VET programs.
To achieve these objectives, WP4 will involve a series of in-depth qualitative studies conducted across the five participating countries. These studies will include interviews, focus groups, and participatory workshops with VET students, as well as observations of VET classrooms and other learning environments. The data collected through these studies will be analyzed using a range of qualitative methods, including thematic analysis, discourse analysis, and narrative analysis.
The findings from WP4 will provide valuable insights into the experiences and perspectives of VET students, highlighting the factors that contribute to their engagement and retention in these programs. These insights will directly inform the development of targeted strategies and interventions designed to improve the attractiveness and effectiveness of VET programs across Europe.
Moreover, the findings from WP4 will contribute to a broader understanding of the role of VET in promoting social mobility and inclusion. By amplifying the voices of students from diverse backgrounds and experiences, we can identify the barriers and challenges that may prevent some individuals from accessing and succeeding in VET programs. This knowledge can inform the development of policies and practices that promote equity and inclusion in VET, ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the 21st-century workplace.
Lead Partner
