Students’ interests and vocational high school programs fit: Measurement, monitoring, causes and consequences of congruence

Navigating early career guidance, particularly through the selection of secondary vocational education following primary school, presents a significant challenge for students, their families, and the education system alike. Opting for a profession that aligns with a student’s interests, abilities, and aspirations typically yields positive outcomes across educational, career, and personal spheres. Conversely, selecting an unsuitable program can result in adverse consequences for both the individual and the broader community. Past research underlines the critical importance of aligning an individual’s interests with the educational and occupational environment (congruence) for favorable career outcomes. It also highlights the potential for increased congruence throughout the course of education, along with the important role of various personal, educational, and environmental factors in achieving such congruence. The VETFIT project aims to explore the dynamics of congruence development within the context of vocational education in Croatia. Specifically, we seek answers to several key research questions: What is the level of congruence between students’ interests and the vocational programs in which they are enrolled? What factors influence this congruence? How does congruence develop over the course of education, and what drives this change? What educational and career outcomes stem from achieving congruence? To address these questions, the project employs a range of methodological approaches, including secondary data analysis, a three-year longitudinal survey involving students, web surveys, focus groups with vocational teachers, and interviews with teachers in professional training and employer-mentors. Additionally, an important practical objective of project VETFIT is to develop student career guidance tools for partner schools, which will assist future students in selecting vocational programs that align with their interests effectively. Istraživački tim / Research team Toni Babarović, Institut Ivo Pilar, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0838-3205 Iva Šverko, Institut Ivo Pilar, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2542-7468 Ivan Dević, Institut Ivo Pilar, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0163-3371 Mirta Blažev, Institut Ivo Pilar, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3712-5109 Iva Černja Rajter, Institut Ivo Pilar, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5949-4311 Eta Krpanec, Institut Ivo Pilar, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3830-6166 Dora Popović, Institut Ivo Pilar, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3716-8435 Natalija Ćurković, nezavisna stručnjakinja, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3731-9619 Terence Tracey, prof. emeritus, Arizona State University, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4376-6738 Nensi Tomac, Institut Ivo Pilar