Need for change in the Norwegian Vocational education? - Students, apprentices and vocational teachers experiences from basic year of vocational education

Authors

  • Daniel Bødtker-Lund Oslo and Akershus University College
  • Kari Henriette Hansen Norwegian University of Science and Technology
  • Grete Haaland Oslo and Akershus University College
  • Inger Vagle Oslo and Akershus University College

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7577/sjvd.2577

Keywords:

Organizing vocational education, vocational relevance, learning environment, participation, democracy

Abstract

This article presents the students, apprentices and teachers point of view in relation to content of the vocational education programs. Their experiences lay as the foundation for answering the following research question; "How does the vocational education program support and prepare students heading for different professions?"

The motivation for this study is the ongoing change of structure within the Norwegian vocational education. The Ministry of education has involved several experts in this changing process, however, no students nor teachers have been included. This article will therefore bring forward students, apprentices and teachers voices, before the ministry of education make their decisions. Their experiences of the current education programs, are important as part of the foundation for the evaluation of a need for change.

The theoretical perspectives are related to conditions regarding students motivation, sense of accomplishment, ability to learn, as well as national guidelines and regulations, goals, and the overall purpose of the vocational education program. The research methods used (in the work) are electronic surveys among the vocational study's current first and second year students as well as apprentices within the specialized educational programs. It also includes semi structured interviews with profession specialized vocational teachers.

One key finding reveals that the current educational programs fail to  meet the students individual learning needs, nor does it comply with national guidelines and regulations for the Norwegian vocational educations. The basic year works for some students and professions but not for others.

Based on the students and teachers experiences, there is a significant need to change the vocational education programs, to ensure the education is relevant for students who have different career plans and are heading for different professions.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Daniel Bødtker-Lund, Oslo and Akershus University College

Institutt for Yrkesfaglærerutdanning

Kari Henriette Hansen, Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Institutt for lærerutdanning

Grete Haaland, Oslo and Akershus University College

Institutt for Yrkesfaglærerutdanning

Inger Vagle, Oslo and Akershus University College

Institutt for Yrkesfaglærerutdanning

Published

2017-12-22

How to Cite

Bødtker-Lund, D., Hansen, K. H., Haaland, G., & Vagle, I. (2017). Need for change in the Norwegian Vocational education? - Students, apprentices and vocational teachers experiences from basic year of vocational education. Scandinavian Journal of Vocations in Development, 2. https://doi.org/10.7577/sjvd.2577

Issue

Section

Scientific Articles