The study explores interplay between vocational competence and dropout intention.



Using longitudinal data from 458 commercial apprentices in Germany, the findings reveal that lower domain-specific competence increases the intention to drop out from VET without qualification over different time spans. Initial lower domain-specific competence also affects trainees’ intention to change their occupation in the final year of training. Furthermore, higher levels of domain-linked competence at the beginning increase the intention to leave VET to pursue higher qualifications in the midterm of training.



The article by Beifang Ma, Maximillian Krötz, Viola Deutscher, and Esther Winther is available here.