Modeling the Characteristics of Vocational Expertise and Excellence: Case Study With Finnish World Skills Competition Participants

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Abstract

This mixed-method study investigated the role of Finnish World Skills Competition (WSC) participants natural abilities, intrinsic characteristics and extrinsic conditions to their talent development with qualitative (n = 30) and quantitative (n = 64) samples. Results of the semi-structured interviews showed that self-reflection (stress tolerance), volition (perseverance, time management skills), cognitive skills (development potential) and motivation (extrinsic and intrinsic) were considered to be the most important characteristics. Results of the survey showed that the most successful competitors were characterized by their linguistic and interpersonal abilities. They also believed that effort is more important to their success than ability. The most successful competitors were more performance-approach goal oriented and less performance-avoidance oriented than their less successful peers.

Author

• Petri J. Nokelainen, University of Tampere