Sustainability in the occupational identities of apprentices in Swiss VET

Education for sustainability is increasingly entering the world of VET as an educational objective to convey knowledge to apprentices, to raise awareness and to strengthen their position as actors for a socio-ecological transformation in the context of their occupational activities and everyday lives. The work of world is a critical site for sustainability, but one which can also change through technological, economic and social innovations and the participation of young professionals.

The research project seeks to determine the extent to which apprentices are concerned with sustainability in relation to their occupational activities and the impact of education for sustainability in the context of VET. In light of the complexity and multifaceted nature of the topic of sustainability, the project aims to determine which problems and questions apprentices associate with it, but also which solutions they envisage. In specific terms, the study aims to provide answers to the following questions:

1. What is apprentices’ understanding of sustainability and how aware are they of it in relation to their occupational activities? What role does sustainability play in the performance of their occupation? How apprentices integrate sustainability into their occupational identities?
2. How do apprentices come into contact with sustainability-related topics during VET? How are they encouraged, supported and promoted at vocational schools and training companies as part of education for sustainability?
3. Do apprentices integrate sustainability into their occupational identity in an integral and pluralistic sense and do they take social change into account?

Occupational identity is produced as part of socialisation processes at the point where individuality and society meet and is both a requirement for as well as the result of occupational activity. It develops dynamically over the course of a person’s life and in exchange with others through reflection on occupational goals, values, interests, knowledge, skills, actions and experience. During the development of their occupational identity, apprentices face the challenge of aligning their expectations with the requirements of the world of work or negotiating on them where appropriate. Apprentices may consider sustainability-related topics when choosing their occupation or become aware of them during occupational training. Equally, the topic of sustainability may barely be considered at all or only from a distance and may have little impact on occupational self-perception.

The research project aims to provide findings on the extent to which apprentices wish to contribute towards sustainability as part of their occupational activities and receive relevant support during VET. The integration of sustainability into VET is still in its early stages in Switzerland. This means the study will provide professionals in the fields of education for sustainability and VET with insights into how the views of apprentices on this topic can be taken into account. The project is being supported by two advisory boards made up of representatives from academia and areas of practical application (e.g. development of occupations  teacher training for vocational schools).