Transitioning from industry to teaching in VET: profiles of VET teachers in Chile
ISSN: 0040-0912
Article publication date: 4 August 2023
Issue publication date: 12 August 2024
Abstract
Purpose
Situated in the Chilean context, this study investigates how Vocational Education and Training (VET) teacher profiles, based on their perceptions of prior work experience in industry, relate to their current motivation and perception of teaching in VET. By doing so, the authors seek to provide valuable evidence to inform the development of policies to attract and maintain well-qualified teachers from industry in Chile and other countries facing similar changes.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors used a descriptive cross-sectional design to collect data from 660 VET teachers using a two-scale instrument: Perception of Prior Occupation (PPO) and adapted FIT-Choice scales. By adopting a typological approach, the authors constructed profiles of VET teachers based on their perception of past industry experience. The authors then analyzed how these profiles vary regarding individual teacher characteristics, motivation and perception of teaching in VET.
Findings
The authors found a significant degree of heterogeneity among VET teachers' prior industry experiences, leading them to identify three distinct VET teacher profiles: “High Perception of Prior Occupation,” “Learning and Teaching-Oriented” and “Low Perception of Prior Occupation.” Notably, the most distinguishing characteristics across these profiles were age, VET teaching area, holding a job outside of teaching and years of prior industry experience. Furthermore, the authors found that motivation and perceptions of teaching varied significantly across these VET teacher profiles.
Originality/value
There needs to be more research on the factors that attract and retain industry workers as VET teachers in high schools. This study is among the first to address this topic in a non-European context.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Funding: MPS was financially supported by ANID/FONDECYT 1210296, and DLA was supported by ANID/ PIA/ Basal Funds for Centers of Excellence FB0003.
Citation
Sevilla, M.P., Luengo-Aravena, D. and Madero, C. (2024), "Transitioning from industry to teaching in VET: profiles of VET teachers in Chile", Education + Training, Vol. 66 No. 5, pp. 477-493. https://doi.org/10.1108/ET-04-2023-0115
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited