The difficulty of arranging the special, often practical, work arrangements required in vocational training programs delays and interrupts studies for many students.
The number of people who dropped out of vocational training at Stadin AO – Helsinki Vocational College and Adult Education Center – rose by several percentage points last year.
The goal of retaining college students is 93 percent of those who have begun their studies and should complete their degree. In 2019, 8.4 percent of students decided to drop before graduating. Last year, in 2020, the figure was as high as 12.7 percent. The number of students means about 400 more than the previous year.
Marko AaltonenThe rector of Stad’s AO Campus 3 says most of those who dropped out decided between the ages of 18 and 20.
"The coronavirus has had an impact on student resignation despite the support measures provided by the institution. We assume that it will have an impact in the future if the situation continues," Aaltonen says.
The story continues after the picture.
The Riveria Vocational School, which provides vocational training in the North Karelia region, has also increased the number of students who drop out or are late for their studies.
"In 2020, there were about 150 more dropouts than in the previous year. We have found that the majority of outgoing people are in adult education," the principal explains Esa Karvinen.
Distance learning is not for everyone
There are serious concerns in the Ministry of Education and Culture that the longer the normal programs of vocational schools have to work with special arrangements, the more students drop out of their studies.
Internships, which are an integral part of vocational training, can be difficult to implement due to a coronavirus pandemic. This in turn has a direct effect on study motivation.
In addition to the difficulty of training, other problems can gain extra weight. For example, a lack of personal support for students who want or need to shift the focus of their studies may make it easier to leave school altogether.
The story continues after the picture.
"It is also quite clear that distance learning is not for everyone," says Mika Tammilehto, Director General of the High School and Vocational Training Department of the Ministry of Education and Culture.
The OSAO Vocational Training Consortium in Oulu and the Northeast has not seen a dramatic increase in the number of dropouts since the start of the pandemic. In contrast, delays in completing study programs have increased by 3 percent, according to the principal Jarmo Paloniemi.
He says that in vocational education, distance learning works to a certain extent, but in knowledge-based learning, such as chef education, it cannot continue week after week, from month to month.
"You can teach, but the student does not learn" Paloniemi condenses.
The story continues after the picture.
Increasing delays in study programs have also been observed at the Tampere Region Vocational College in Tredu.
"The number of drop-out students has increased slightly and degrees are not completed at the same pace," says the director of Trudu Outi Kallionen.
Support and encouragement
As the coronavirus crisis continues, the risks for students experiencing problems will continue to increase. Mika Tammilehto says that the long-term effects of distance learning are also worrying.
"How this time is reflected in learning outcomes is directly reflected in access to the labor market and postgraduate studies," he points out.
Training must be continued despite these trials. So how can vocational schools try to maintain students ’enthusiasm for their studies?
"One way is probably to provide encouragement and maintain faith in the future, a future that needs professionals. Maybe not right now or even in the summer, but as the epidemic eases, professionals will be needed," emphasizes Marko Aaltonen.
Source: The Nordic Page