Exploring the Relationship Between Career and Technical Education Interventions and Employment: Does Vocational Education Lead to Decent Work?

• In Event: International Relations Committee Paper Session 3: International Perspectives on Teacher Learning, Teacher Beliefs, and Vocational Education

Abstract

Decent work is a fundamental human right, particularly for marginalized groups. Due to the constrained labor market, vocational (or Career and Technical) high school (VHS) graduates are underrepresented, facing poor working conditions, lower earnings, and limited chances of promotion. Hence, this study examined the effect of career and technical education (CTE) on Korean VHS graduates’ decent work, focusing on ILO’s objective measurements. Results showed decent work classes were divided into 1.all low (20%), 2.low reward (43%), and 3.all high (37%) groups. Controlling job and household characteristics, the interaction effects between CTE interventions and students’ majors were significant in determining each decent work group. This suggests personalized CTE strategies considering each major are needed for VHS graduates’ decent work.

Authors

• Seong Ji Jeong, The Ohio State University
  Presenting Author

• Joshua D. Hawley, The Ohio State University
  Non-Presenting Author