Why are School-Leavers Pursuing A Higher Education Degree Rather Than Joining A Skilled Trade in Ireland

9 pages•Published: December 11, 2023

Luke Byrne, Joanne White, Michael Curran and Sonya Meekal

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to investigate the main influences on school-leavers’ decision to pursue a career path in the construction industry through either a higher-level degree or a skilled trades program in Ireland. Additionally, this study examined how the key influencers on school-leavers, such as parents, teachers and career counsellors view the construction sector. The research applied a mixed- methods research approach. A survey was conducted among 200 mainly 6th year school-leavers across four secondary schools in the Wicklow and Wexford areas in Ireland. Through a questionnaire data was collected about their reasons for deciding on a higher-level degree compared to a skilled trades program. The influencers’ perspective on the construction sector was assessed through semi-structured interviews, enabling triangulation of the data. The findings indicate that most school-leavers were given more information about higher education options than apprenticeship. Furthermore, the research suggests that most school-leavers believed that higher education is considered a superior pathway over joining skilled trades courses. School-leavers see apprenticeships as a lesser achievement than higher education. There is a need to address negative stereotyping associated with apprenticeships and to inform students in secondary school early about the alternative study pathways and career opportunities.

Keyphrases: apprenticeships, ireland, skilled trade, university

In: Tom Leathem, Wes Collins and Anthony Perrenoud (editors). Proceedings of 59th Annual Associated Schools of Construction International Conference, vol 4, pages 148-156.

Links:	https://easychair.org/publications/paper/dTGR
	https://doi.org/10.29007/rjxv

BibTeX entry

@inproceedings{ASC2023:Why_are_School_Leavers,
  author    = {Luke Byrne and Joanne White and Michael Curran and Sonya Meekal},
  title     = {Why are School-Leavers Pursuing A Higher Education Degree Rather Than Joining A Skilled Trade in Ireland},
  booktitle = {Proceedings of 59th Annual Associated Schools of Construction International Conference},
  editor    = {Tom Leathem and Wes Collins and Anthony Perrenoud},
  series    = {EPiC Series in Built Environment},
  volume    = {4},
  publisher = {EasyChair},
  bibsource = {EasyChair, https://easychair.org},
  issn      = {2632-881X},
  url       = {/publications/paper/dTGR},
  doi       = {10.29007/rjxv},
  pages     = {148-156},
  year      = {2023}}

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