Purpose: A novel, Project- and Collaborative Learning-based educational method is proposed, implemented and evaluated in this paper. The aim is to exploit hands-on laboratory modules in Vocational Education in order to experientially introduce students to green, ecofriendly practices and the principles of sustainability and circular economy.…

The rapid advancement of digital technology has not only affected the world of work but also students' learning. Digital learning competence (DLC) is one of the essential skills students need for effective learning in a digital environment. Despite the significant presence of secondary vocational school students in China, constituting one-third of…

Chinese secondary school vocational education has been given increased prominence over recent years to support the country's need for a highly skilled workforce and continued economic growth. The integration of secondary vocational and higher vocational education to move towards a tertiary system embodying lifelong education with Chinese…

Collective skill formation systems thrive if employers' skill needs are reflected in apprenticeship training programmes and firms offer apprenticeship positions. Occupation-level adaptation processes underpin these systems, which offer upper-secondary level vocational education leading to hundreds of occupations. Yet, it is considered challenging…

Economic growth is dependent on well-skilled human capital. Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes are paramount in provision of the requisite capabilities which encompass both academic and non-academic skills also known as whole youth development (WYD) skills. Youths leaving training institutions in Kenya experience…

Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) have both an educational and professional function. Although employer engagement is necessary to execute the latter function effectively, employer engagement remains a problem for most TVET institutions. This research investigates employer engagement in upper secondary TVET schools in Ghana.…

In northeastern United States vocational and technical high schools, students who participate in career technical education (CTE) demonstrate varying reading levels of informational literacy. CTE educators, in two high schools, were challenged to support students' literacy performance, which is critical for entry in post-secondary institutions or…

The mission of high school career and technical education (CTE) programs is to prepare high school graduates for a career. This study provides insight into the educational practices that support students with the skills necessary for workplace success, as not all CTE program graduates are prepared for the workplace with industry-ready skills. The…

In the current educational landscape, the development of critical thinking abilities is becoming increasingly important, especially considering the prevalence of hybrid learning methods. This investigation aimed to evaluate the proficiency of critical thinking skills in students who are immersed in hybrid learning. A descriptive quantitative…

This study focuses on the school-work connection from the perspective of curriculum design. The aim was to uncover considerations underpinning the design of learning environments in vocational education. The research took place in the Netherlands. A focus group methodology was chosen to elicit designers' considerations, which generally remain…

Technical literacy instruction and authentic learning opportunities need to be implemented through cross-curricular collaboration into secondary ELA curriculums to bridge the disconnect between K-12 education and the demands of the 21st-century workforce. The Common Core State Standards as well as newly adopted legislation in Maryland, Blueprint…

While the scope of a transition toward renewable energy, and away from fossil fuels, as well as other sustainable economic practices is daunting, the United States has recently begun to obtain policy momentum in the push to decouple economic activity from greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A suite of recent federal laws, as well as state and local…

The current study examines hope and career adaptability as two potential mediators, parent-child closeness as a moderator of the relationship between career-related parental support and life satisfaction. A total of 521 vocational high school students responded to this study. The result revealed that hope and career adaptability independently and…

Work placement is defined as a continuing professional development programme aiming at improving vocational teachers' understanding of industry working life through authentic experience. It has been a mandatory programme for all vocational teachers in China since 2016. In this study, we explore the impact of work placement on vocational teachers'…

To engage all learners, schools must offer career-pathway courses that combine academics and deeper learning. Gene Bottoms, until recently head of the Southern Regional Education Board, describes a transformation he believes must happen in US high schools--adopting curriculums that include intellectual rigor in career and technical education (CTE)…