Certain past, uncertain future – Research as a part of anticipation and development of the future of vocational education and training

Authors

• Solja Upola Helsingin yliopisto
• Sami Löfgren Hämeen ammattikorkeakoulu

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54329/akakk.176388

Keywords:

vocational education and training, reform, VET research, review, academic dissertation

Abstract

This descriptive, narrative literature review examines doctoral dissertation studies (N = 23) conducted in the context of Finnish upper secondary vocational education and training between January 2018 and May 2025. Research questions are: 1) Which themes do the doctoral dissertation studies address?, and 2) Which development tasks of the VET do the studies elaborate on? Themes recognised in the literature review were: 1) development of pedagogical practices; 2) student competence acquisition and personalisation; 3) management and leadership; and 4) system criticism. Dissertations addressed such topics as competence based education, student lifelong learning skills, personalised learning in different learning environments, working-life relevance, practitioner roles and organisational-level development. Most doctoral dissertations examine VET as a whole implying that the research tradition is still young. Studies investigating trade-specific teaching and learning methods, educational psychology and connections between VET and general societal tendencies would be needed.