Employer Ratings of Vocational Education Graduate Effectiveness. A Research Study Exploring Business and Industry Employers' Perception of the Effectiveness of Secondary Vocational Education Programs in Tennessee. Research in Tennessee Secondary Vocational-Technical Education.

Overview & Synopsis

A study was conducted to determine the types of training and educational levels desired for entry-level employees in Tennessee and to obtain employer ratings of entry-level work skills for Tennessee vocational education graduates as compared to nonvocational education graduates. Additionally, 61 Tennessee employers identified by school districts were asked their opinions about raising taxes to increase funding for vocational education. Information was collected through surveys mailed to a random sampling of businesses hiring recent vocational program graduates. Analysis of the data showed that, overall, business and industry and local communities are supportive of vocational education. Employers indicated that recent secondary vocational graduates had better entry-level work skills than recent graduates without vocational education. Employers were pleased with the job performance of recent vocational graduates; however, they do not support tax increases to increase vocational education funding. Employers suggested that more vocational education programs focus on preventing dropouts and that more work experience opportunities would help vocational education graduates. Employers also recommended that vocational education teachers should have subject-matter related work experience, a college degree, and a state license. Recommendations were made for educators to stress the importance of vocational education to all students, especially to potential dropouts. (Includes 31 references and the questionnaire.) (Author/KC)