Vocational Students’ Ways of Handling the Academic/Vocational Divide

Purpose: The focus of this article is on Swedish vocational students’ own thoughts about different types knowledge and how these relate to the forming their identities. reports a study which investigates students handle division between theoretical practical as they learn become skilled industrial workers. Theoretical are often presented dichotomies in hierarchy, where more highly valued than knowledge. known research "the academic/vocational divide". This divide particularly relevant students, need deal with both navigate contexts school work.Methods: part project learning identity formation. empirical material based qualitative interviews 44 enrolled programme at upper secondary schools.Findings: revealed three ways handled divide: Placing higher value knowledge, reinforcing separation work, selecting subjects useful tools for future. Conclusions: Two conclusions drawn from that aware status differences divisions an active manner. Students make choices will help them form or give opportunities further education alternative careers. challenges contradicts image unmotivated unintellectual, instead portraying knowledgeable actors who strategic future identities within vocations require deep advanced