Risk Assessment of Dual Vocational Educational Training: The Case of Andalusia

Abstract

The progressive implementation of Dual Vocational Training in Spain since 2012 and in Andalusia since the 2013-2014 academic year, has been accompanied by interesting debates that question its revulsive character for the VET system in this country and that slow down its progress towards a key type of studies to generate young talent in the Spanish context. In the Andalusian context, this evaluative study aims to find out, from the perspective of the teaching staff involved in the dual model, what risks certain internal and external factors linked to Dual VET in Andalusia pose for the sustainability and effectiveness of the model. The extent to which the degree of urbanisation, experience in dual training and participation in management may be conditioning this opinion is explored. A total of 1445 teachers participated and their opinions were collected through a questionnaire designed and validated for this research. The analyses carried out highlight as risks to the sustainability of Dual Vocational Training the decrease in teacher participation in this model, the loss of interest of the centres in it and the continuity of dual projects; with the interest of companies in the competence profile of graduates being the greatest risk to the effectiveness of the model. For teachers in rural schools, for those who have participated in company prospecting tasks and for those with little experience in dual education, these are the greatest threats to the dual system.