Article 2025

Higher VET: Examining an unexpected upskilling and reskilling pathway for STEM and non-STEM university graduates in Spain past; Formación Profesional de Grado Superior: Examinando una vía inesperada de upskilling y reskilling para titulados universitarios STEM y no STEM en España

Revista de Educacion
Journal · Vol. 1
Abstract

This article analyzes the learning strategies of university graduates in Higher VET programmes in Spain. The objective is to show whether this decision obeys to an upskilling or reskilling strategy. The methodology used is quantitative, based on the latest nationwide Survey on Education-Training and Labour Market Transitions (ETEFIL-19). First, the number and profile of those involved in this transition are analyzed. Second, the relationship between the field of study and the professional family of destination is determined. Thirdly, the perceived usefulness of this choice in terms of employability is studied. The results reveal that this trajectory is mostly developed by women and that the decision is made years after completing their university studies. The relationship between the previous field of study and the family of the completed cycle is positive and statistically significant, so their decision is mainly based on an upskilling strategy rather than a career change. Likewise, they perceive that their vocational training qualification has been useful for finding employment. Finally, the implications in the field of policy and practice are considered, along with the limitations of this study and the need for future lines of research. © 2025, Ministry Education and Science. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Author Keywords

employability STEM vocational education and training contingency analysis ETEFIL-19 Post Baccalaureate Reverse Transfer reskilling university graduates upskilling VET-University pathways

Index Keywords

Author Affiliations
Universidad de Deusto, Bilbao, Biscay, Spain
Funding & Acknowledgements
No funding information
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