Career guidance for skilled trades in general secondary education: European experience and Ukrainian prospects

- Tsarova, Yevelina (orcid.org/0009-0003-1897-8701) (2026) Career guidance for skilled trades in general secondary education: European experience and Ukrainian prospects Professional Pedagogics, 1 (32). pp. 190-203. ISSN 2707-3092

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Abstract

Relevance: The relevance of the study is determined by ongoing transformations in the labour market, rapid technological development, and increasing demand for highly qualified skilled workers. Despite this, the attractiveness of skilled trades among young people continues to decline, leading to a mismatch between labour market needs and students’ career aspirations. This highlights the need to modernise career guidance in general secondary education through effective international experience. Aim: The article aims to analyse the methodological foundations of career guidance for general secondary education students towards skilled trades based on the experience of Germany and Austria, and to identify possibilities for adapting these approaches within the Ukrainian educational context. Methods: The study employs a qualitative research design, including theoretical analysis of scientific literature, comparative analysis of German and Austrian vocational orientation systems, synthesis of pedagogical approaches, systematisation of dual education principles, and interpretative analysis of implications for Ukraine. Results: The findings demonstrate that effective career guidance in Germany and Austria is characterised by early vocational orientation, continuous practice-based learning, structured workplace exposure, and strong cooperation between schools and employers. Key mechanisms include dual education systems, compulsory internships, career counselling centres, and enterprise involvement in training processes. The analysis shows that these integrated models support informed professional decision-making and strengthen the attractiveness of skilled trades. Conclusions: The study concludes that Ukraine should move towards a more integrated, practice-oriented model of career guidance by adopting key elements of European experience. Priority directions include strengthening early and continuous vocational orientation, expanding students’ workplace exposure, developing school–employer partnerships, gradually introducing dual education elements, modernising career counselling systems, and enhancing the social prestige of skilled trades, including through digital tools and public awareness initiative.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	career guidance, skilled trades, vocational education, dual education system, Germany, Austria, Ukraine, school-to-work transition, vocational orientation, labour market
Subjects:	Science and knowledge. Organization. Computer science. Information. Documentation. Librarianship. Institutions. Publications > 3 Social Sciences > 33 Economics. Economic science Science and knowledge. Organization. Computer science. Information. Documentation. Librarianship. Institutions. Publications > 3 Social Sciences > 37 Education > 37.01/.09 Special auxiliary table for theory, principles, methods and organization of education > 37.01 Fundamentals of education. Theory. Policy etc. Science and knowledge. Organization. Computer science. Information. Documentation. Librarianship. Institutions. Publications > 3 Social Sciences > 37 Education > 37.01/.09 Special auxiliary table for theory, principles, methods and organization of education > 37.04 Education in relation to the educand, pupil. Guidance Science and knowledge. Organization. Computer science. Information. Documentation. Librarianship. Institutions. Publications > 3 Social Sciences > 37 Education > 373 Kinds of school providing general education
Divisions:	Institute of Vocational Education > Department of Education and Professional Career
Depositing User:	Микола Іванович Вовковінський
Date Deposited:	29 Jun 2026 11:06
Last Modified:	29 Jun 2026 11:06
URI:	https://lib.iitta.gov.ua/id/eprint/749738

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