Young people’s and parents’ views of vocational education and careers guidance
Project overview and approach
CSD commissioned Chrysalis Research to
conduct research into young people’s and parents’ views of
vocational education, and the role of information, advice and
guidance (IAG) on influencing education and career choices.
The research explored themes
identified during an earlier, exploratory study by CSD and
Nottingham Trent University of young people’s experience of
vocational education.
Our research involved an online survey
of 1,620 young people aged between 15 and 19, and 1,693 parents of
children in this age group. Within this sample, 1,231 young people
and their parents completed a paired questionnaire, whereby the
parent completed the first half of the survey before the child
completed the rest. This approach enabled us to directly compare
the responses of parents and their children, and to assess the
impact of parents’ perceptions and circumstances on their
children’s views and experiences.
The young people were classified as
following vocational qualifications routes or general
qualifications routes, based on their current or previous
studies.
Following the quantitative research,
we conducted online qualitative discussion groups with two groups
of survey participants: four young people following vocational
courses and seven working towards general qualifications. The
groups provided greater insight into young people’s perceptions of
the different qualifications pathways and the reasons behind their
choices.
Key recommendations (click on links)
(On parents) Not so good at advising on careers because they always
focus on the salary of what you want to do but good at advising on
what to do when I go to uni, like whether to stay at home or
not.
Female, aged 17, vocational qualifications
route
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Contact us
For more information on this project, please contact:
Kathleen
Collett
Project date:
September 2011