Factors for choosing vocational secondary school Social differences in choices of profession and school in the southern great plain region

Abstract

Abstract In our study we focus on students who choose vocational training after elementary school: what aspects are considered, whether constraints are visible, and whether the decision is influenced by the family background, the guidance of teachers or other social factors. Our research questions were examined in two fields of vocational education, namely agriculture and economic services. A questionnaire was conducted in 19 vocational education schools with 600 students in the Southern Great Plain Region in the spring of 2015. Respondents reflect the composition of the population by the field of study (agriculture, economics services), type of vocational school (vocational secondary schools providing/not providing baccalaureates) and year groups. According to our results, there is no significant difference between the preference criteria of students who are studying at the different types of vocational school: both groups hope for high earning potential and favourable labour market opportunities, and the good reputation of the profession is decisive as well. By contrast, the impact of primary school teachers on the choice of profession is remarkably low. The multivariate analysis of multifaceted contexts of influencing factors has shown that the family background of those who choose the vocational school is decisive: the less privileged students are more motivated by the easier (travel) access of the school and the assumed good earning and employment opportunities. The analysis also reveals more detailed relationships and correlations. Keywords: career choice and vocational training, career choice and disadvantage