Bridging the Skills Gap: Employers’ Needs vs. Vocational Education Students’ Perceived Capabilities

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the perceived worker qualities of vocational education students who have participated in a job training program for at least one year. In addition, this study also endeavored to reveal what these students rated as the five most important worker qualities needed for their future employment. Sixty high school students enrolled in the WE-MO-CO Vocational Education and Technological Center participated in this study. This job training program enrolls students from 11 public high schools and two private educational institutions in western Orleans/Monroe County, New York. A Survey of Worker Qualities was administered to the students by their instructors prior to the beginning of their job training sessions. Fifty four usable surveys were examined. Results indicated that the majority of these students felt they had to offer a prospective employer personal management behaviors and positive work-related attitudes as opposed to academic abilities. Students' ratings also indicated that the above worker qualities were most important to their future employment and did not rate academic abilities as important qualities for their future employment.