Tekijät

• Research Foundation for Studies and Education (Otus)
• National Union of Vocational Students in Finland (SAKKI)

Asiasanat

education, educational guidance, labour and employment, living conditions, occupational training, students, upper secondary education, vocational education, well-being (society)

Sisällön kuvaus

The Vocational School Student Survey (VET Student Survey) 2015 is a total study charting the experiences of young people studying in Finnish vocational institutions. The survey was conducted collaboratively by the National Union of Vocational Students in Finland (SAKKI), the Research Foundation for Studies and Education (Otus), and the Ministry of Education and Culture. Main themes of the survey included current and former studies, experiences relating to studies, financial circumstances and housing, future plans, and well-being and leisure time.

Relating to studies at the time of the survey, the respondents were asked, among others, their field of education, year of study, and distance to the vocational institution. Earlier studies and applying to vocational studies were charted by asking the respondents, for instance, whether vocational studies had been discussed in their families, whether their friends or siblings studied in a vocational institution, how clear the decision to opt for vocational studies had been, and whether they had worked or completed other studies before starting vocational studies.

Experiences of studies and teaching were examined with questions about the time spent on studies in a week, teaching and guidance received, balancing and managing with studies, and money spent on study materials. Possible learning difficulties and support received for these difficulties were also surveyed. With regard to study progress, satisfaction with studies was charted as well as feelings of studying the right field, prospects of graduating, things slowing down study progress, and views on the importance of vocational studies.

Working, housing and financial circumstances were investigated by asking about working during studies and in the summer, housing during the semesters, financial help from parents and relatives, and sufficiency of money for expenses. Concerning occupational life, opinions were probed on a number of statements about employment as well as employment prospects after graduation, and views on the importance of various things for a successful career. Future plans to study were surveyed. Finally, well-being and leisure time were examined with questions about friends, social relationships, bullying and discrimination, sleep, alcohol use, hobbies and Internet use.

Background variables included the respondent's year of birth, gender, and mother tongue. The time the respondent had lived in Finland was further charted, along with languages spoken with parents, and parents' employment status and education level.