Vocational Interests of Vocational School Students: Insights from a Qualitative Study of Teachers' Perspectives

Abstract

The fit between students' vocational interests and the occu pation they are studying for is important for their satisfaction, motivation, and professional adjustment. However, the deter minants of this fit have been scarcely researched. The aim of this study is to examine vocational teachers' perspectives on the determinants, changes, and ways to encourage students' interest for the chosen vocation. Using focus groups methodology, we collected data of 52 teachers from 8 Croatian vocational schools. Participants reported that students often choose vocational programmes for extrinsic reasons, result ing in a low fit between their interests and the educational programme and stagnation or even a decline of the fit during schooling. As key determinants of the fit, participants highlighted the curriculum, emphasising the need for practical training and integration of theoretical knowledge with practical work. This paper contributes to a better un derstanding of the determinants of the fit between vocational interests and occupation and highlights the importance of simultaneous action at the level of educational system and interpersonal level to strengthen students' interest in their future profession.