Career Compromises and Dropout from Vocational Education and Training in Germany

Abstract

"This study investigates the relevance of career compromises (i.e. the discrepancy between expected and attained training position) for dropping out from vocational education and training (VET), focusing on compromises in terms of field of work, social status and gender type. Moreover, it examines whether apprentices’ enjoyment of training ex-plains this association. Using longitudinal data on 5,600 apprentices from the German National Educational Panel Study (NEPS, Starting Cohort 4), the results of discrete event history models show that all types of compromises are crucial for VET dropout, but especially compromises regarding field of work and downward discrepancies in gen-der type. Furthermore, the link between compromises and VET dropout is partly mediated by apprentices’ enjoyment of training, which itself is highly correlated with dropping out. These findings draw attention to the role of pre-entry VET policies, such as career counselling, in minimising the incidence of career compromises." (Authors' abstract ; BIBB-Doku)