Vocational School Student Surveys chart the experiences of young people studying in Finnish vocational education institutions. The surveys are conducted by the Research Foundation for Studies and Education (Otus) in collaboration with the National Union of Vocational Students in Finland (SAKKI). Main themes of the surveys include applying for studies, experiences relating to studies and teaching, financial circumstances, plans for the future and working life, and wellbeing and leisure time. The first data for the series were collected in 2015. Subsequently, the study has been conducted biennially.
The Vocational School Student Survey (VET Student Survey) 2024 is a total study charting experiences of young people studying in Finnish vocational education institutions. The survey was conducted by the Research Foundation for Studies and Education (Otus) in collaboration with the National Union of Vocational Students in Finland (SAKKI), which also funded the study with funding received from the Ministry of Education and Culture. Main themes of the survey included applying for studies, experiences relating to studies and teaching, financial circumstances, plans for the future and working life, and wellbeing and leisure time.
First, the respondents were asked about their studies at present with questions concerning, for instance, their field of education. Questions also surveyed how the respondents had entered their studies and also the respondents' decision to apply for vocational studies was examined. The respondents were also asked how they had performed in earlier education.
Next, respondents were asked about their experiences of studying. Among other things, they were asked about the time spent studying and the amount of different aspects of their current studies, such as face-to-face teaching, distance learning and on-the-job learning. Students were also asked about the challenges of studying, the teaching and guidance they received from the institution and their general experiences of the institution. In addition, respondents were asked questions about their personal competence development plan and views on study facilities and learning materials.
This was followed by statements about on-the-job learning and questions about progress and obstacles to studies and reasons for considering dropping out of studies. Next, respondents were asked about their employment during their studies, their financial situation and their living arrangements. In terms of leisure and well-being, respondents were asked about their health, friends and family, experiences of being bullied and sexual harassment. As regards to working life and future expectations, the survey asked about views on the time after graduation and the transition to working life. Respondents also assessed their own career aspirations. They were also asked about their intentions to continue studying after their current studies.
Background variables included the respondent's field of study, age, gender, mother tongue, as well as, parents' employment status and education level.
The study did not form a sample of individual respondents, but the questionnaire was shared with all vocational institutions providing education and training in continental Finland. The questionnaire was addressed to all young people and adult students who, at the time of the data collection, were completing a degree programme, further vocational qualification, specialist vocational qualification, preparatory education, other vocational education (e.g. TUVA, TELMA), or part of a degree or a shorter study module. Responses were received from a total of 83 education and training providers (58%) and 89 educational institutions (57%). In total, 15.580 students responded to the survey.