Content Analyses of Technical High School Textbooks as an Index of Attending to Vocational Training

Aiming at identification of the components of competence-based vocational training, and its status in textbooks used in technological high schools, a content analysis of five textbooks on non-technological competencies, commonly used in all fields, was undertaken utilizing a check list considered as valid by curriculum experts. Furthermore, a perusal of related texts and documents revealed three components for the competence-based vocational training: knowledge of the trade, economic perspective, and personal and social skills. Data analyses show that professional ethics has the highest rank, while the use of new technologies ranks lowest in significance, while production management, innovation and entrepreneurship, and work environment requirements ranking in between. Considering the contemporary developments in education, and the significance of the role that technological and vocational trainings play in socio-economic development, a thorough review of the contents seems necessary.