Insights and outlooks: career learning in the final years of compulsory school

This article presents results from a Danish research and development project on career learning in compulsory school. The aim of the project was to broaden the perspective on education and world of work among pupils in the final years of compulsory school through career learning activities based on experience-based learning and reflection. To that end, teachers and guidance practitioners worked together with VET-schools, Upper Secondary Schools and local companies in order for the pupils to both experience and sense different educational and occupational opportunities and systematically reflect on these experiences in connection with the subjects of the school and the pupils’ own self-insight.
A main finding in the follow-up research is that the participating pupils overwhelmingly changed their attitude towards VET-programs and trade to a more positive view after the project. Moreover, that this change largely can be ascribed to the career learning approach in the project activities, focusing on preparation, adaption and reflection. Additionally, that the career learning approach resulted in making VET-programs real possibilities for post-compulsory education to a large group of pupils and something they consider.