Approaches for sustainable professional skill development for vocational education students in Thailand.

Background: This article presents a research study that aims to explore sustainable approaches for developing professional skills in vocational education students in Thailand. This is the second phase of the research, which utilizes a qualitative research methodology. Methodology: The key informants in this study are administrators of vocational education institutions, teachers, and students currently enrolled in vocational education institutions in Thailand, totaling 36 participants. The research uses a purposive sampling method and snowball sampling method. Data collection methods include document analysis, in-depth structured interviews, and observation. The results of the interviews are analyzed, and the content analysis is summarized. The research process consists of 4 steps: 1) literature review, 2) data collection, 3) data analysis, and 4) verification and confirmation. Results: The research findings highlight several key considerations, including: 1) factors influencing the development of professional skills among vocational education students, such as curriculum design, support and counseling, practical training in workplaces, interactive learning, problem-solving and analytical thinking skills development, practical learning, and supportive learning environments, 2) approaches for sustainable professional skill development involve employing the appropriate approaches for self-development. The steps include setting clear goals and plans, active learning and training, technology skill development, experiential learning, problem-solving skill development, participation in professional activities, self-reflection, and continuous self-improvement. Conclusion: These approaches aim to enhance the competencies of vocational education students, ensuring quality and efficiency as part of lifelong learning and sustainable development.

Innovation and evaluation of vocational pharmaceutical education system under the 1 + X certificate system in China.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The 1 + X certificate system, introduced in China in 2019, integrates academic credentials with vocational skill certificates to meet the heightened demand for skilled talents in the growing economy. This study aims to innovate and evaluate the vocational pharmaceutical education system under the 1 + X certificate framework, specifically addressing the gap between theoretical education and workplace requirements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective observational approach analyzed 490 pharmacy students over two academic years. The 2021 cohort underwent 1 + X integrated education, while the 2020 cohort followed conventional education. We collaborated closely with industry partners to identify and compile typical job competencies, formulating work projects aligned with industry demands. Combining the skill level standards and assessment content of "1+X Pharmaceutical Purchasing and Sales" and "1+X Pharmaceutical Preparation", we revised the course standards, incorporating typical work projects into the 2021 pharmacy professional teaching curriculum. This constituted the fundamental content of the 1 + X education reform. Statistical analysis compared course scores and 1 + X certificate examination performance. RESULTS: The 2021 cohort, under the 1 + X educational model, demonstrated higher average scores in pharmacy courses, with significant improvements in pharmacology (1 + X vs. Traditional education: 58.40 ± 14.20 vs. 53.44 ± 14.67), clinical pharmacotherapy (72.74 ± 10.28 vs. 63.15 ± 11.03), and pharmaceutical distribution and marketing (79.34 ± 10.96 vs. 67.50 ± 15.82). 1 + X certificate pass rates and satisfaction with the model were also higher than the 2020 cohort. CONCLUSION: The 1 + X certificate system is useful for developing talent in Chinese vocational education, effectively integrating assessments with industry standards. Future research should aim at evaluating long-term outcomes and improving quantitative skills assessments for enhanced effectiveness.

Impact of organizational culture, occupational commitment and industry-academy cooperation on vocational education in China: Cross-sectional Hierarchical Linear Modeling analysis.

At a time when vocational education is seen as critical for national development, concern grows regarding how weak organizational culture and occupational commitment may threaten the production of quality graduates and teachers within the field. The failure of vocational institutions to effectively create human capital likely threatens the connections between Chinese industry and its educational institutions. This study thus explores how these connections are influenced by organizational and occupational factors. A multi-layer linear model is employed on data collected from 406 teachers from 69 Chinese vocational colleges and universities. Results suggest that organizational cultural positively influences industry-university cooperative behavior through the construction of strong occupational commitment and job involvement. This study not only enriches and expands new knowledge and academic perspectives, but also provides feasible policy suggestions to help guide educational administrators toward the improvement of vocational education.

Uptake of Proactively Offered Online and Telephone Support Services Targeting Multiple Health Risk Behaviors Among Vocational Education Students: Process Evaluation of a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: A high proportion of vocational education students smoke tobacco, have inadequate nutrition (ie, low fruit and vegetable intake), drink alcohol at risky levels, or are physically inactive. The extent to which vocational education students will sign up for proactively offered online and telephone support services for multiple health risk behaviors is unknown. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to examine the uptake of proactively offered online and telephone support services for smoking, nutrition, alcohol consumption, and physical activity risk behaviors, individually and in combination, among vocational education students in the Technical and Further Education (TAFE) setting. The characteristics associated with the uptake of online or telephone services for smoking, nutrition, alcohol consumption, and physical activity risk behaviors were also examined. METHODS: Vocational education students enrolled in a TAFE class in New South Wales, Australia, which ran for 6 months or more, were recruited to participate in a cluster randomized controlled trial from May 2018 to May 2019. In the intervention arm, participants who did not meet the Australian health guidelines for each of the smoking, nutrition, alcohol consumption, and physical activity risk behaviors were provided electronic feedback and proactively offered online and telephone support services. Uptake of support was measured by whether participants signed up for the online and telephone services they were offered. RESULTS: Vocational education students (N=551; mean age 25.7 years, SD 11.1; 310/551, 56.3% male) were recruited into the intervention arm. Uptake of the proactive offer of either online or telephone services was 14.5% (59/406) for fruit and vegetables, 12.7% (29/228) for physical activity, 6.8% (13/191) for smoking, and 5.5% (18/327) for alcohol use. Uptake of any online or telephone service for at least two health behaviors was 5.8% (22/377). Participants who were employed (odds ratio [OR] 0.10, 95% CI 0.01-0.72) and reported not being anxious (OR 0.11, 95% CI 0.02-0.71) had smaller odds of signing up for online or telephone services for smoking, whereas participants who reported not being depressed had greater odds (OR 10.25, 95% CI 1.30-80.67). Participants who intended to change their physical activity in the next 30 days had greater odds (OR 4.01, 95% CI 1.33-12.07) of signing up for online or telephone services for physical activity. Employed participants had smaller odds (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.06-0.56) of signing up for support services for at least two behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Although the uptake of proactively offered online and telephone support services is low, these rates appear to be higher than the self-initiated use of some of these services in the general population. Scaling up the proactive offer of online and telephone services may produce beneficial health outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12618000723280; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=375001.

Effectiveness of Diet Habits and Active Life in Vocational Training for Higher Technician in Dietetics: Contrast between the Traditional Method and the Digital Resources.

Vocational training of students in diet habits and active lifestyle habits has recently become an important issue, given the health problems caused as a result of a poor diet. The objective of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of different training actions (traditional method and digital resources) carried out in a program of dietary habits and active lifestyle at the vocational training stage. A quasi-experimental design of the pre-post type was developed. A sample of 177 participants was chosen. The instrument to collect the data was the validated ECHAES questionnaire. The results show that all study groups demonstrated similar averages across all dimensions, except in the digital resource post-test design, where the averages were higher than the rest. There was a significant relationship between the traditional teaching method and the post-test digital resources design in all dimensions. There was also a significant relationship between the pre-test and post-test of the traditional teaching method and the digital resource group in the dimensions. It can be concluded that both the traditional and the innovative method lead to learning in the vocational training student, although the values achieved by the group where the innovative method was adopted were much higher than in the traditional group.

The potential of socially assistive robots during infectious disease outbreaks.

Robots have a role in addressing the secondary impacts of infectious disease outbreaks by helping us sustain social distancing, monitoring and improving mental health, supporting education, and aiding in economic recovery.

Pedagogical Content Knowledge of nursing freshman professors in medium-level technical education.

OBJECTIVES: to analyze the practice and construction processes of Pedagogical Content Knowledge of freshman professors, in secondary education in nursing. METHODS: a collective case study with a qualitative approach. Data collection with biographical interview, non-participant observation of sessions and group interview. With the results interpreted in the light of Shulman's theoretical framework, content analysis enabled the creation of the category Manifestation of Pedagogical Content Knowledge. RESULTS: predominance of traditional teaching practices, with an attempt at more flexible postures, with pedagogical knowledge and encouragement for student reflection. Final Considerations: the transition from the traditional model to a dialogical teaching (with the student's role) highlights the process of expanding Pedagogical Content Knowledge of, such as learning in and about the practice itself, seeking to strengthen teaching knowledge. A manifestation of reflective thinking was evidenced, with a perception of teaching professionalization.

Pedagogical Content Knowledge of nursing freshman professors in medium-level technical education / Conocimiento Pedagógico del Contenido de docentes de enfermería novatos en la educación técnica de nivel medio / Conhecimento Pedagógico de Conteúdo de docentes de enfermagem novatos na educação técnica de nível médio

ABSTRACT Objectives: to analyze the practice and construction processes of Pedagogical Content Knowledge of freshman professors, in secondary education in nursing. Methods: a collective case study with a qualitative approach. Data collection with biographical interview, non-participant observation of sessions and group interview. With the results interpreted in the light of Shulman's theoretical framework, content analysis enabled the creation of the category Manifestation of Pedagogical Content Knowledge. Results: predominance of traditional teaching practices, with an attempt at more flexible postures, with pedagogical knowledge and encouragement for student reflection. Final Considerations: the transition from the traditional model to a dialogical teaching (with the student's role) highlights the process of expanding Pedagogical Content Knowledge of, such as learning in and about the practice itself, seeking to strengthen teaching knowledge. A manifestation of reflective thinking was evidenced, with a perception of teaching professionalization.

RESUMEN Objetivos: analizar los procesos de práctica y construcción del Conocimiento Pedagógico del Contenido del profesor novato, en la educación de nivel medio en enfermería. Métodos: estudio de casos colectivos con abordaje cualitativo. Recolección de datos con entrevista biográfica, observación no participante de sesiones y entrevista en grupo. Con los resultados interpretados a la luz del referencial teórico de Shulman, el análisis de contenido posibilitó la creación de la categoría Manifestación del Conocimiento Pedagógico del Contenido. Resultados: predominio de prácticas tradicionales de enseñanza, con intento de posturas más flexibles, con conocimiento pedagógico y estímulo a la reflexión discente. Consideraciones Finales: la transición del modelo tradicional a una enseñanza dialógica (con protagonismo del alumno), evidencia el proceso de expansión del conocimiento pedagógico del contenido; como aprendizaje en la propia práctica, buscando el fortalecimiento de los saberes docentes, se evidenció manifestación de pensamiento reflexivo, con percepción de la profesionalización de la enseñanza.

RESUMO Objetivos: analisar os processos de prática e construção do Conhecimento Pedagógico do Conteúdo do professor novato, na educação de nível médio em enfermagem. Métodos: estudo de casos coletivos com abordagem qualitativa. Coleta de dados com entrevista biográfica, observação não participante de sessões e entrevista em grupo. Com os resultados interpretados à luz do referencial teórico de Shulman, a análise de conteúdo possibilitou a criação da categoria Manifestação do Conhecimento Pedagógico do Conteúdo. Resultados: predomínio de práticas tradicionais de ensino, com tentativa de posturas mais flexíveis, com conhecimento pedagógico e estímulo à reflexão discente. Considerações Finais: a transição do modelo tradicional para um ensino dialógico (com protagonismo do aluno) evidencia o processo de expansão do Conhecimento Pedagógico do Conteúdo; como aprendizado na e sobre a própria prática, buscando o fortalecimento dos saberes docentes, evidenciou-se manifestação de pensamento reflexivo, com percepção da profissionalização do ensino.

Health promotion by nursing technicians from the nurses' perspective.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze education and practice of nursing technicians in health promotion, from the perspective of teaching nurses of technical course and Primary Health Care nurses. METHOD: an exploratory study with qualitative data analysis, carried out in the city of São Paulo, through semi-structured interviews with nine public technical professors and 16 nurses from the basic health network. Data thematic analysis was carried out. RESULTS: three thematic categories have emerged: Conceptions and experiences on health promotion; Nursing technician's practice in health promotion; and Nursing technician education on health promotion. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: it is necessary to review the centrality given to technicalism in the education and practice of nursing technicians, contemplating the health promotion and seeking the development of professional competence for the construction of transformative practices aimed at valuing the autonomy and proactivity of the people in health and quality of life production.

Health promotion by nursing technicians from the nurses' perspective / Promoción de la salud por técnicos en enfermería, en la perspectiva de enfermeros / Promoção da saúde por técnicos em enfermagem, na perspectiva de enfermeiros

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze education and practice of nursing technicians in health promotion, from the perspective of teaching nurses of technical course and Primary Health Care nurses. Method: an exploratory study with qualitative data analysis, carried out in the city of São Paulo, through semi-structured interviews with nine public technical professors and 16 nurses from the basic health network. Data thematic analysis was carried out. Results: three thematic categories have emerged: Conceptions and experiences on health promotion; Nursing technician's practice in health promotion; and Nursing technician education on health promotion. Final considerations: it is necessary to review the centrality given to technicalism in the education and practice of nursing technicians, contemplating the health promotion and seeking the development of professional competence for the construction of transformative practices aimed at valuing the autonomy and proactivity of the people in health and quality of life production.

RESUMEN Objetivo: analizar la formación y praxis del técnico en Enfermería en la promoción de la salud, bajo la perspectiva de enfermeros docentes de curso técnico y de la Atención Primaria de Salud. Método: estudio exploratorio con análisis cualitativo de datos, realizado en municipio paulista, por medio de entrevistas semiestructuradas con nueve docentes de curso técnico público y 16 enfermeros de la red básica de salud. Se procedió al análisis temático de los datos. Resultados: se configuraron tres categorías temáticas: Concepciones y experiencias sobre promoción de la salud; Práxis del técnico en Enfermería en la promoción de la salud; y Formación del técnico en Enfermería para promoción de la salud. Consideraciones finales: se hace necesario revisar la centralidad dada al tecnicismo en la formación y praxis del técnico en Enfermería, contemplando la promoción de la salud y buscando el desarrollo de la competencia profesional para la construcción de prácticas transformadoras orientadas a la valorización de la autonomía y la proactividad de las personas en la producción de salud y calidad de vida.

RESUMO Objetivo: analisar a formação e práxis do técnico em enfermagem na promoção da saúde, sob a perspectiva de enfermeiros docentes de curso técnico e da Atenção Primária à Saúde. Método: estudo exploratório com análise qualitativa de dados, realizado em município paulista, por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas com nove docentes de curso técnico público e 16 enfermeiros da rede básica de saúde. Procedeu-se à análise temática dos dados. Resultados: configuraram-se três categorias temáticas: Concepções e experiências sobre promoção da saúde; Práxis do técnico em enfermagem na promoção da saúde; e Formação do técnico em enfermagem para promoção da saúde. Considerações finais: faz-se necessário rever a centralidade dada ao tecnicismo na formação e práxis do técnico em enfermagem, contemplando a promoção da saúde e buscando o desenvolvimento da competência profissional para construção de práticas transformadoras voltadas para valorização da autonomia e proatividade das pessoas na produção de saúde e qualidade de vida.

Career readiness: Finding a place for health and safety education.

BACKGROUND: Studies have identified gaps in health and safety knowledge and work practices of vocational students in the United States and abroad. Little is known about what, how, when, or if health and safety are taught and if the teaching that takes place is effective. Faculty skilled in their technical area may lack knowledge related to health and safety and pedagogy. This knowledge gap is compounded by a deficiency or absence of high-quality safety and health resources for vocational and technical college faculty, the use of outdated and often inaccurate information, and lack of any standardized assessment of knowledge and skills. METHODS: To identify these knowledge gaps, we conducted group interviews with auto body collision technology and machine tool technology faculty at two colleges. RESULTS: Most instructors reported a rapid transition from technical trade worker or business owner into their faculty role, with little support or education related to teaching. No instructor used a defined health and safety curriculum and materials or could describe the breadth safety skills required for their profession. Instructors tested and evaluated health- and safety-related skills on an ad hoc basis and said that workers and employers were ultimately responsible for job health and safety. CONCLUSIONS: Standardized health and safety training is needed nationally and should be progressive and integrated with career-specific educational programs. It should ensure that students obtain knowledge and understanding of how to apply the principles of safety and health and communicate with employers about health- and safety-related issues.

Health literacy of nursing students and its effective factors.

BACKGROUND: The insufficiency of health literacy negatively affects the national economy as it leads to increased health service expenditure. It is very important for individuals to have accurate health-related information to reduce these negative effects. AIM: The aim of the study is to examine the health literacy of nursing students and its effective factors. METHODS: This descriptive study was carried out with students from the nursing department of a vocational school of health sciences between September and October 2018 in Turkey. A semi-structured questionnaire regarding the descriptive features of the participants and the European Health Literacy Scale were used for data collection. RESULTS: The study included 283 nursing students; 29.3% had a problematic-limited health literacy level. The study found a statically significant difference between student year, high school graduation and family's income level and the total mean score of the HLS-EU scale. CONCLUSION: The subject of health literacy should be integrated into the educational program of nursing students. The nurses are the most important workforce in health services, and awareness about this subject should be raised.

Project Nova: A Combination HIV Prevention and Microfinance Intervention for Women Who Engage in Sex Work and Use Drugs in Kazakhstan.

Innovative combination HIV-prevention and microfinance interventions are needed to address the high incidence of HIV and other STIs among women who use drugs. Project Nova is a cluster-randomized, controlled trial for drug-using female sex workers in two cities in Kazakhstan. The intervention was adapted from prior interventions for women at high risk for HIV and tailored to meet the needs of female sex workers who use injection or noninjection drugs. We describe the development and implementation of the Nova intervention and detail its components: HIV-risk reduction, financial-literacy training, vocational training, and a matched-savings program. We discuss session-attendance rates, barriers to engagement, challenges that arose during the sessions, and the solutions implemented. Our findings show that it is feasible to implement a combination HIV-prevention and microfinance intervention with highly vulnerable women such as these, and to address implementation challenges successfully.

Vocational coaches for justice-involved emerging adults.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether vocational supports for emerging adults with serious mental health conditions who are at high risk for rearrest are more effectively served within Multisystemic Therapy for Emerging Adults (MST-EA) through vocationally enhanced MST-EA Coaches or through referral to state vocational rehabilitation services. METHOD: A pilot randomized controlled trial examined two MST-EA Coaching approaches. In the Standard Coach + VR condition (n = 16), MST-EA Coaches delivered standard skills curricula to participants and referred them to state vocational rehabilitation (VR) services for vocational supports. In the Vocational Coach (VC) condition (n = 16), MST-EA Coaches delivered the standard skills curricula enhanced with extensive education/employment components. Analyses included pre- to posttreatment comparisons of vocational outcomes, and between groups comparisons of fidelity, satisfaction, and services utilization. RESULTS: Those in the VC condition had a 12-fold increase in the odds of posttreatment vocational activity compared with those in the Standard Coach + VR condition (92.9 vs. 57.1% employed or in school, respectively). Subgroup analyses of those who engaged in Coaching showed that there was specifically an increase in the odds of posttreatment educational engagement among those in the VC condition compared with those in Standard Coach + VR. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Based on the strength of the findings in this small pilot study the VC should be included in future clinical trials of MST-EA to maximize treatment impact for supporting emerging adult vocational functioning and thus reducing antisocial behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

On being a pathologist: a pathway to pathology practice; the added value of supplemental vocational training and mentoring in college and medical school.

Traditionally, vocational training and liberal arts (and premedical) curricula have been separate education tracks. This personal profile describes a program that evolved from the partial fusion of vocational training and a premedical education track. My personal health issue, visual impairment, which presumably resulted as a complication of congenital toxoplasmosis, hampered my ability to read in grammar school and necessitated my placement in remedial reading classes until eighth grade. My father created an independent home-based vocational training program that ran in parallel to my traditional school education all the way through college. In this case study, I provide an overview of this hybrid education program, which we refer to as the Vocational Training/Medical College Curriculum of the Future (VTMC). This term implies that the education of a student from K-12 school through medical college is a continuum. I find it useful to conceptualize a single education continuum beginning with vocational training and ending with medical education, with a large overlap area in the middle. In this paper, I describe a set of my work experiences that leveraged and reinforced my didactic education experiences. Mentors who supported aspects of the VTMC program have included a college president, a US Congressman, a Nobel Laureate, and a Massachusetts General Hospital leader in academic pathology. Elements of this innovative VTMC program have been used in K-12 public schools and in nonmedical graduate school programs.

Comparing Mobile Technologies for Teaching Vocational Skills to Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and/or Intellectual Disabilities Using Universally-Designed Prompting Systems.

The purpose of this study was to compare mobile technologies with universally-designed prompting systems to improve the independent vocational performance of four adolescents with ASD and/or ID in school-based employment settings. Specific aims were to (1) compare the effectiveness of universally-designed prompting systems presented on iPads and HP Slates that involved participant-selection and participant-fading of available on-screen media prompts; (2) compare the usability of different mobile devices; and (3) determine if built-in decision prompts could improve problem-solving behavior during task completion. Results indicated that both devices resulted in immediate and substantial increases in independent responding for three of the four participants. All participants performed better with their preferred device and all self-faded reliance on instructional prompts as skill acquisition increased.

The experiences and perceptions of persons with disabilities regarding work skills development in sheltered and protective workshops.

BACKGROUND: Protective workshops and sheltered employment settings have been instrumental in developing the work skills of people with disabilities, however there has been a void in the literature about its influence on the ability of individuals to find employment in the open labor market. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to explore the experiences and perceptions of people with disabilities about the development of their work skills for transitioning into the open labor market. PARTICIPANTS: Five individuals with various types of disabilities and two key informants participated in the study. METHODS: The research study was positioned within the qualitative paradigm specifically utilizing an exploratory and descriptive research design. In order to gather data from the participants, semi structured interviews were used. RESULTS: Three themes emerged from the findings of the study. Theme one, designated as "Reaching a ceiling", reflected the barriers that the participants experienced regarding work skills development. Theme two, designated as "Enablers for growth within the workplace", related to the enabling factors related to development of the work skills of persons with a disability (PWD). The final theme related to the meaning that PWD associated to their worker role and was designated as "A sense of universality". CONCLUSION: The participants highlighted that they felt their coworkers in the workshops were "like family" to them and thoroughly enjoyed the work tasks and work environment, expressing specific support from their fellow workers. Through reaching their goals, engaging in their work tasks and having the sense of universality in the workplace, the workers felt that the work they participated in gave them meaning to their life. The findings of the study indicated that managers of protective workshops and sheltered employment settings should consider selecting work tasks that enable the development of skills needed in the open labour market. A work skills development system whereby PWD in these workshops could determine their own career progression is advocated.