Effects of career choice activities in school on adolescents’ occupational self-efficacy in the transition to VET

Abstract

Teachers support students’ transition into Vocational Education and Training (VET) by classroom activities, out-of-school activities, and coaching. A model was examined using a longitudinal sample of 1171 adolescents (surveyed in 9th grade and in first year of VET). Results from structural equation models showed that classroom activities directly correlate with occupational self-efficacy and that prior knowledge about the apprenticeship program indirectly predict occupational self-efficacy after transition to VET. The findings indicate an evidence-based model of school support during the transition from school to VET.