Abstract:

Vocational education plays a crucial role in reducing unemployment and aligning young people's skills with the evolving demands of the labor market. Given that it currently enjoys less popularity than general education, it is worth asking: how can changes stemming from the educational system reform contribute to enhancing the quality of vocational education and restoring its former status?

This paper presents partial results from quantitative research conducted among teachers in technical and vocational schools as part of the scientific project Changes in Vocational Education in Secondary Schools Resulting from the 2017 Educational System Reform in the Views of Teachers in Technical and Vocational Schools.

In an era of technological revolution, globalization, and demographic challenges related to migration and an aging population, improving the education system, including vocational schooling, has become essential. To assess the changes in vocational education, all factors contributing to its effectiveness must be considered.

The analysis of the conducted research identified several key issues that Polish vocational education still faces despite recent reforms. To improve the situation in vocational education, actions should be taken, such as increasing investment in vocational school infrastructure, adapting equipment to practical training needs, supporting and promoting apprenticeships and other forms of school-employer collaboration, and advocating for vocational education within society. Implementing these changes may increase the appeal of vocational education and enable young people to acquire essential skills, thereby enhancing the flexibility of the educational system and aligning it with the changing needs of the labor market.