A research study, conducted by the Slovenian Institute of Vocational Education and Training (CPI) monitors where young people six years after enrolling in vocational and technical upper secondary programmes are and which factors triggered their paths.
The study surveyed young people from 10 participating schools in Slovenia, who enrolled in vocational and technical education in 2007/08 and presents how these young people are doing six years after graduation.
The study covered six content areas:
- upper secondary school where graduates were enrolled in 2007/08 (type of programme, reason for enrolment, scholarship, programme completion);
- continuing upper secondary education (type of continuing education, reason for enrolment, scholarship, programme completion);
- (last) completed upper secondary school (extent to which the school has improved competence of graduates, would the graduates of a specific school/educational programme enrol again, would they recommend a specific school/educational programme);
- study after completing upper secondary school (proportion of graduates who continue their education, type of continuing education, reason for choice, scholarship, full- or part-time student, who finances continuing education);
- work and current employment status (employment status of graduates, type and duration of employment, type and level of education required for current employment position, suitability of tasks for acquired profession, how much time has elapsed between graduation and employment, employed graduates who had prior contact with the current employer, job description, company size, salary);
- demographic data (gender, year of birth, mother tongue, accommodation, parent education level, self-assessment, work and lifestyle).
Key findings:
- survey invitation was sent to 1 271 students, of which 264 (20.8%) responded;
- over half the respondents enrolled in technical upper secondary education in 2007/08, just fewer than half in vocational upper secondary programmes and the remainder in short vocational upper secondary education;
- almost all participants completed the selected programme;
- more than a quarter of respondents continued education in secondary programmes (mainly due to better job opportunities), of these almost all also completed the selected programme;
- more than half of respondents continued training. The largest proportion at almost a third enrolled in higher vocational education programmes;
- fewer than a third of respondents are in employment, and for more than half of the employed this is their first employment;
- on average respondents found employment seven months after graduation;
- more than 10% of respondents are unemployed and are looking for full-time employment, over a quarter have student jobs, nearly a third are not employed as they follow continuing education;
- most of those unemployed and seeking employment were enrolled in short, vocational upper secondary education;
- most enrolled in technical upper secondary education work through student jobs, or do not work due to continuing education.
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