A typological analysis of the Swiss vocational educational market: structural disadvantage for female adolescents

Abstract

Research showed that female adolescents in Switzerland report more difficulties in finding an apprenticeship after school than males. The present study examines the hypotheses that this can also be explained by a much smaller number of available vocational educations and places for apprenticeships within typically female interest areas and often higher levels of required scholastic aptitude within these areas compared to typically male interest fields. To test the hypotheses, the study undertakes a typological analysis of the Swiss vocational education market in 2006, applying the RIASEC typology from Holland (1997). This model of analysis allows direct comparisons to the well-established international research literature on gender differences in vocational interests. Both hypotheses were confirmed. Implications for theory and practice are presented.