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Realizing Decent Work in a 'Sandwich' Position: Assessing VET Trainers' Working Conditions in Times of Multiple Transformations

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Title: Realizing Decent Work in a 'Sandwich' Position: Assessing VET Trainers' Working Conditions in Times of Multiple Transformations
Language: English
Authors: Manuel Nicklich, Marco Blank, Sabine Pfeiffer
Source: International Journal for Research in Vocational Education and Training. 2025 12(1):101-126.
Availability: European Educational Research Association / European Research Network Vocational Education and Training.Am Fallturm 1, Bremen, 28359, Germany. Tel: +49-421-218-66336; Fax: +49-421-218-98-66336; e-mail: ijrvet@uni-bremen.de; Web site: http://www.ijrvet.net
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 26
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Career and Technical Education, College Students, Apprenticeships, Inplant Programs, Supervisor Supervisee Relationship, Supervisors, Supervisor Qualifications, Skilled Workers, Work Environment, Employer Employee Relationship, Trainers, Transformative Learning, Professional Development, Role Conflict, Organizational Change
Geographic Terms: Germany
ISSN: 2197-8638
2197-8646
Abstract: Context: The German vocational training and education (VET) system is designed to cope with change. Within this system, organizational VET trainers (OVETT) are the main persons of reference for apprentices in the organization, in most cases for the whole three-year training period. Whether training can help to realize or maintain decent work also depends on whether the trainers themselves have decent working conditions. Approach: The empirical foundation for our analysis of the situation of OVETTs and the challenges they face in transformative times is a recently conducted study. Using a mixedmethods research design, consisting of 28 qualitative interviews and an online survey completed by 1,004 organizational VET trainers, this study analyzes the working conditions of German VET trainers and assesses possible effects on decent work. Findings: We show that although there is a willingness on the part of OVETTs to handle change and transformation, they are not sufficiently involved in their companies' strategic decisions. Our data shows that some OVETTs perceive themselves as being in a potentially influential position. Many, however, report that they are only the object of change instead of participating and contributing their competencies and opinions. The data shows the extent to which the work of vocational trainers is affected by stress, conflicting demands and a lack of support. This is particularly true for part-time trainers who, in addition to their normal work, are also responsible for the success of the apprentices and the entire VET system. However, the high intrinsic motivation of trainers enables them to fulfil their tasks and meet the high expectations placed on them. Conclusions: A special aspect of this is the "sandwich" position of OVETTs, who face transformative, societal demands, and challenges from both below (i.e., from the apprentices) and above (i.e., from management). At the same time, there is a lack of structural and operational resources. Organizational changes expose them more directly to certain challenges, but do not give them a chance to help shape their own conditions. Although the VET trainers are accustomed to mastering different requirements and interests, in transformative times new challenges arise and intensify the already heavy burden on VET personnel. If these are not addressed and VET work is not organized as decent, this will also jeopardize the quality of the vocational training system in the medium term.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1461998
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: European Educational Research Association / European Research Network Vocational Education and Training.Am Fallturm 1, Bremen, 28359, Germany. Tel: +49-421-218-66336; Fax: +49-421-218-98-66336; e-mail: ijrvet@uni-bremen.de; Web site: http://www.ijrvet.net
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– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Context: The German vocational training and education (VET) system is designed to cope with change. Within this system, organizational VET trainers (OVETT) are the main persons of reference for apprentices in the organization, in most cases for the whole three-year training period. Whether training can help to realize or maintain decent work also depends on whether the trainers themselves have decent working conditions. Approach: The empirical foundation for our analysis of the situation of OVETTs and the challenges they face in transformative times is a recently conducted study. Using a mixedmethods research design, consisting of 28 qualitative interviews and an online survey completed by 1,004 organizational VET trainers, this study analyzes the working conditions of German VET trainers and assesses possible effects on decent work. Findings: We show that although there is a willingness on the part of OVETTs to handle change and transformation, they are not sufficiently involved in their companies' strategic decisions. Our data shows that some OVETTs perceive themselves as being in a potentially influential position. Many, however, report that they are only the object of change instead of participating and contributing their competencies and opinions. The data shows the extent to which the work of vocational trainers is affected by stress, conflicting demands and a lack of support. This is particularly true for part-time trainers who, in addition to their normal work, are also responsible for the success of the apprentices and the entire VET system. However, the high intrinsic motivation of trainers enables them to fulfil their tasks and meet the high expectations placed on them. Conclusions: A special aspect of this is the "sandwich" position of OVETTs, who face transformative, societal demands, and challenges from both below (i.e., from the apprentices) and above (i.e., from management). At the same time, there is a lack of structural and operational resources. Organizational changes expose them more directly to certain challenges, but do not give them a chance to help shape their own conditions. Although the VET trainers are accustomed to mastering different requirements and interests, in transformative times new challenges arise and intensify the already heavy burden on VET personnel. If these are not addressed and VET work is not organized as decent, this will also jeopardize the quality of the vocational training system in the medium term.
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  Data: EJ1461998
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 26
        StartPage: 101
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Career and Technical Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Apprenticeships
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Inplant Programs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Supervisor Supervisee Relationship
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Supervisors
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Supervisor Qualifications
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Skilled Workers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Work Environment
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Employer Employee Relationship
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Trainers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Transformative Learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Professional Development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Role Conflict
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Organizational Change
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Germany
        Type: general
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      – TitleFull: Realizing Decent Work in a 'Sandwich' Position: Assessing VET Trainers' Working Conditions in Times of Multiple Transformations
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