Vocational versus general secondary education, comparing labor-market outcomes for different types of students.
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School of Business |
Bachelor's thesis
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Authors
Date
2023
Department
Major/Subject
Mcode
Degree programme
Bachelor’s programme in Economics
Language
en
Pages
25
Series
Abstract
Secondary education differs greatly between countries and does so mainly through the size of the vocational versus the general track. This has invariably sparked discussions and interests in researching how the labor market outcomes might differ between those enrolled in the different secondary education tracks. The research covered in this literature review presents varying perspectives without reaching a definitive conclusion. Some suggest a tradeoff, where initial advantages of vocational education diminish over time compared to general education. Conversely, other studies find sustained benefits of vocational education. A recurring theme is the necessity of considering selectivity in educational choices for accurate causal estimations. This thesis underscores the role of comparative advantage in shaping individual educational decisions and explores the distinct pros and cons of vocational and general education based on individual attributes. In the Finnish context, academically strong students are found to benefit more from general education, whereas less academically inclined individuals may find vocational education more advantageous. Evidence suggests potential higher lifetime earnings for average students through vocational education. The thesis discusses the possible expansion of vocational education in Finland and raises concerns over students in the general track who do not continue into higher education and the poor-performing students in the vocational track who drop out. The findings contribute to the ongoing discourse on secondary education and offer insights for policymakers, educators, and students.Description
Thesis advisor
Stryjan, MiriKeywords
secondary education, vocational education, returns to education, Finland, Comparative advantage