Challenges and Structural Barriers to Student Success in Technical and Vocational Education: A Study in Tehran

مقالات آماده انتشار

نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی

نویسندگان

1 Associate Professor, Department of Social Planning, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

2 Expert, Office of Studies and Culture, Islamic Parliament Research Centre of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Tehran, Iran

چکیده

Background and Aim: Technical and vocational education (TVE) at high schools has been frequently highlighted as essential in key national strategic documents, such as the Comprehensive Scientific Map of the Country and various educational reform acts, under the premise that this track delivers a large number of skilled graduates to the labor market. Yet, despite this high-level prioritization, skepticism regarding the overall effectiveness and efficiency of TVE persists due to ongoing structural constraints.
 
Data and Method: To fully understand these obstacles, an in-depth investigation is required to explore the operational and institutional barriers affecting TVE from the perspectives of subject-matter experts and educational specialists. For this purpose, a qualitative research methodology was adopted, utilizing semi-structured interviews with 33 experts and specialists in the relevant field to gain comprehensive insights into the subject. The gathered interview data were systematically analyzed using thematic analysis.
 
Findings: The findings categorized the existing challenges into several key areas, including misalignment of training with labor market needs, lack of job opportunities for graduates of technical and vocational fields, lack of preparedness of trainees for real-world market conditions, weakness of educational equipment and facilities, socio-cultural factors, development of gender inequalities, and weak support for trainees.
 
Conclusion: Addressing these issues is crucial for enhancing the overall effectiveness of technical and vocational education, ensuring better structural alignment with labor market needs while promoting equitable access for all students.
 
Key Message: Technical and Vocational Education (TVE) in Iran faces major structural, cultural, and policy-related challenges that significantly reduce its efficiency and institutional effectiveness, thereby preventing it from successfully meeting labor market needs and contributing to sustainable development.

کلیدواژه‌ها

عنوان مقاله [English]

Challenges and Structural Barriers to Student Success in Technical and Vocational Education: A Study in Tehran

نویسندگان [English]

  • Ali Shakoori 1
  • Zahra Raji 2
1 Associate Professor, Department of Social Planning, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2 Expert, Office of Studies and Culture, Islamic Parliament Research Centre of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Tehran, Iran
چکیده [English]

Background and Aim: Technical and vocational education (TVE) at high schools has been frequently highlighted as essential in key national strategic documents, such as the Comprehensive Scientific Map of the Country and various educational reform acts, under the premise that this track delivers a large number of skilled graduates to the labor market. Yet, despite this high-level prioritization, skepticism regarding the overall effectiveness and efficiency of TVE persists due to ongoing structural constraints.
 
Data and Method: To fully understand these obstacles, an in-depth investigation is required to explore the operational and institutional barriers affecting TVE from the perspectives of subject-matter experts and educational specialists. For this purpose, a qualitative research methodology was adopted, utilizing semi-structured interviews with 33 experts and specialists in the relevant field to gain comprehensive insights into the subject. The gathered interview data were systematically analyzed using thematic analysis.
 
Findings: The findings categorized the existing challenges into several key areas, including misalignment of training with labor market needs, lack of job opportunities for graduates of technical and vocational fields, lack of preparedness of trainees for real-world market conditions, weakness of educational equipment and facilities, socio-cultural factors, development of gender inequalities, and weak support for trainees.
 
Conclusion: Addressing these issues is crucial for enhancing the overall effectiveness of technical and vocational education, ensuring better structural alignment with labor market needs while promoting equitable access for all students.
 
Key Message: Technical and Vocational Education (TVE) in Iran faces major structural, cultural, and policy-related challenges that significantly reduce its efficiency and institutional effectiveness, thereby preventing it from successfully meeting labor market needs and contributing to sustainable development.

کلیدواژه‌ها [English]

  • Technical education
  • vocational education
  • thematic analysis
  • challenges
  • education policy
  • educational obstacles

مراجع

Abbaszadeh, S., Shahi, S., & Mehralizadeh, Y. (2019). Consistency of technical institutes and vocational training with the needs of small industries of Ahvaz. Journal of Educational Planning Studies, 7(14), 48–70. [In Persian]. https://doi.org/10.22080/eps.1970.2125
Alcock, P., May, M., & Wright, S. (Eds.). (2012). The student’s companion to social policy (4th ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.
Alinea, J. M. L. (2022). A thematic literature review on industry-practice gaps in TVET. TVET@asia: The Online Journal for Technical and Vocational Education and Training in Asia, 19, 1–24. https://tvet-online.asia/19/a-thematic-literature-review-on-industry-practice-gaps-in-tvet
Ansari, A., Vahdat, R., & Ghasemzadeh Alishahi, A. (2023). Effective model of technical and vocational education on the labor market. International Journal of Nonlinear Analysis and Applications, 14(1), 2557–2570. https://doi.org/10.22075/ijnaa.2022.6558
Anwar, K., & Mohamad, M. M. (2022). TVET teaching implementation: Competency, challenges and motivation. Research and Innovation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training, 2(1), 91–98. https://publisher.uthm.edu.my/periodicals/index.php/ritvet/article/view/7162
Asadi, M. (2019, December 11). The role of skills training of Technical and Vocational Training Organization in the country's economic development [Paper presentation]. National Conference on New Research Achievements in Accounting and Management, Rasht, Iran. [In Persian]. https://civilica.com/doc/977038
Billett, S. (2014). Workplace participatory research: A comprehensive approach to workplace learning in vocational education and training. Journal of Vocational Education & Training, 66(1), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1108/13665620410550295
Didehvar, N., Mosapour, N., Yadegarzade, G., & Abtahi, M. A. (2024). A comparative study of Master's courses in technical and vocational education in selected universities of Australia, Germany, Malaysia and United States of America. Iranian Journal of Comparative Education, 7(2), 3020–3048. https://doi.org/10.22034/ijce.2024.422160.1538
Harafati-Sobhani, M., & Piri, M. (2017). The content analysis of the first and second grade of secondary school textbooks with emphasis on first aid training. Journal of Rescue and Relief, 9(2). [In Persian]. http://jorar.ir/article-1-387-en.html
Haruna, R., & Kamin, Y. B. (2019). Application of work-based learning model in technical and vocational education: A systematic review. Education, Sustainability & Society, 2(4), 1–4. http://doi.org/10.26480/ess.04.2019.01.04
Hojabrynejad, H. (2016). The role of technical and vocational education in business development and sustainability [Paper presentation]. First National Conference on Business Sustainability, Tehran, Iran. [In Persian]. https://civilica.com/doc/747374
Hosseini-Fathabadi, H., Ruhani, A., & Naderi-Nobandegani, Z. (2022). The social construction of self-harm in the changing context of educational system: A qualitative study of female students in the city of Yazd, Iran. Journal of Social Continuity and Change, 1(2), 313–330. https://doi.org/10.22034/jscc.2022.2712
Hosseinzadeh, A. H., Rezadost, K., Bahmani, S., Arabi, A., & Bondori, M. (2025). Challenges of transitioning from a resource-based industry to a knowledge-based industry: A case study in Khuzestan, Iran. Journal of Social Continuity and Change, 4(3), 355–392. https://doi.org/10.22034/JSCC.2025.22514.1199
Islam, T. (2018). Skills gap assessment between TVET institutes and industries of Bangladesh: Electronics industries perceptions (Publication No. 161031209) [Master's thesis, Islamic University of Technology]. https://repository.iutoic-dhaka.edu/items/c02b9c16-38f5-4f3b-9d67-53dccf98f575
Jalilian, S., Mehralizade, Y., & Marashi, M. (2017). A study of the match between vocational educational with industries sector educational needs in Khorramshahr city. Journal of New Approaches in Educational Administration, 8(29), 131–150. [In Persian]. https://doi.org/20.1001.1.20086369.1396.8.29.7.1
Kavousi, T. (2008). Relation of work-based and vocational education with employment. Journal of Management and Planning in Educational System, 1(2), 83–93. [In Persian]. https://mpes.sbu.ac.ir/article_98331.html
Khademi Kolahlou, M., Rahimi, B., & Rahimi, M. J. (2023). Proportion of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and distribution of employment in Iran. Strategic Research on Social Problems, 12(4), 73–100. [In Persian]. https://doi.org/10.22108/srspi.2024.139146.1938
Mack, A. J., & White, D. (2019). Challenges affecting Technical Vocational Education and Training in Trinidad and Tobago: Stakeholders’ perspective. Journal of Technical Education and Training, 11(3), 16–25. https://doi.org/10.30880/jtet.2019.11.03.016
Malekpour, A. (2021). Assessing the challenges of technical and vocational education in the country (Iran). Journal of Skill Training, 9(36), 55–66. [In Persian]. https://www.magiran.com/p2439114
Marques, L. A. (2018). Theoretical foundations of vocational and technical education and the part they play in the process of state building. In M. Auer & K. S. Kim (Eds.), Engineering education for a smart society (Vol. 627, pp. 145–156). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-60937-9_14
Rahmaninezhad, A., Tajbakhsh, G., & Hoseini, M. R. (2025). Cultural barriers affecting empowerment derived from employment among women with disabilities in Khorramabad, Iran. Journal of Social Continuity and Change, 4(3), 439–465. [In Persian]. https://www.doi.org/10.22034/JSCC.2025.22340.1179
Rezvanfar, M. S., Khosravi Babadi, A., & Assareh, A. (2026). Designing a modular curriculum model for education skills training courses with a meta-synthesis approach. Management and Educational Perspective, 7(4), 113–142. [In Persian]. https://doi.org/10.22034/jmep.2025.533055.1543
Salarvand, V., Vahabi-Najat, S., Naderi, B., & Dezh, L. (2024). Examining the strengths and weaknesses of work and technology education in Iran and modern educational systems worldwide [Paper presentation]. First International Conference of Talent-Identifying Teachers and Cultural Developments in Vocational Education and Technology, Tehran, Iran. [In Persian]. https://civilica.com/doc/2159607
Salehi Omran, E. (2011). Theoretical approaches to industrial systems curriculum. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 5(19), 8–42. [In Persian]. https://sid.ir/paper/101056/en 
Salehi, K., Reza Zeinabadi, H., & Parand, K. (2009). A study on the implementation of the systematic approach for quality evaluation of Technical-Vocational Schools (TVS): A case of evaluating girl’s TVS in Tehran. Journal of Educational Innovations, 8(1), 151–203. [In Persian]. https://noavaryedu.oerp.ir/article_78901_en.html
Schnarr, A., Yang, S., & Gleißner, K. (2008). Vocational education and training and the labour market: A comparative analysis of China and Germany. InWEnt – Capacity Building International; UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/48139896
Shimu, S. S., & Haolader, F. A. (2025). TVET is under-resourced and held in low regard? Teachers’ perceptions of TVET in Bangladesh. Education + Training, 67(3), 419–435. https://doi.org/10.1108/ET-12-2023-0551
ShirKarami, J., Amani, T., Marghzari, M., & Keyhan, F. (2015). Study of educational opportunities and inequalities in gender and regional dimensions [Paper presentation]. Fourth International Conference on Psychology and Social Sciences, Tehran, Iran. [In Persian]. https://civilica.com/doc/492365/
Soleimani Khajeh Nafas, S., Ghandehari, M., & Ramazani, F. (2022). The impact of technical and vocational education on entrepreneurial spirit or employment [Paper presentation]. Sixth International Conference on Educational Sciences, Psychology, Counseling, Education, and Research, Tehran, Iran. [In Persian]. https://civilica.com/doc/1621497/
Zia, A., Adidinizar, P. L., Tan, C., & Subramaniam, G. (2022). Work-life balance: Family satisfaction of TVET as human capital investment in Malaysia. Journal of International Business, Economics and Entrepreneurship, 7(2), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.24191/jibe.v7i2.20709
تداوم و تغییر اجتماعی

مقالات آماده انتشار، پذیرفته شده
انتشار آنلاین از تاریخ 09 دی 1404

فایل ها

هم رسانی

ارجاع به این مقاله

آمار