Experts’ perceptions about the state of the research of the vocational education and training in Finland
Keywords:
vocational education and training, evidence-based knowledge, anticipation, development, reformationAbstract
This article describes the professionals’ perceptions about the current state of the research of vocational education and training in Finland. The aim is to investigate experts’ perceptions of the role of research activities in vocational education and training and, how vocational education practitioners can utilize research-based knowledge. Data was collected in November 2023 at the conference arranged by Finnish Vocational Education Research Association. The qualitative data (n = 33 Postit notes and observation notes from one researcher) were gathered from the round table discussion, where vocational education professionals creatively and diversely generated information on the current state of the vocational education and training research. Four vocational education experts, focusing vocational education phenomena from the research orientation, were invited to discussion. Within a multidisciplinary framework, the discussion concentrated strengths, opportunities, weakness and development areas, and threats of the vocational education and research following the structure of the SWOT analysis. The audience (n = 25) had the opportunity to participate the discussion, write their views on the Post-it notes, and place them in the relevant areas of the SWOT analysis displayed on the wall. In the review article, perspectives related to the research topic that emerged during the round table discussion are presented. The findings indicate that vocational education should increasingly utilize research information, and some of its staff should be able to conduct relevant research. This requires national support. The greatest challenge identified the overall lack of management and the structures for vocational education research activities at the national level and the lack of knowledge about the current state of the research within Finland’s vocational education field. Research activities were seen as an important part of developing vocational education – vocational education should be developed, and its appreciation increased through research-based evidence.
