Research is being conducted in this field with two main objectives. Firstly, to understand the subjective attitude and appreciation of vocational training as an alternative to pursuing higher academic education. We are interested in understanding what role subjective appreciation plays for young people, their parents and peers when deciding whether or not to do an apprenticeship (as opposed to pursuing the academic route) in terms of the social prestige and the economic benefits of vocational and professional education and training; how the appreciation of apprenticeships evolves over time; and how vocational and professional education and training is viewed differently in the various parts of the country (e.g. language regions).
Research is also being conducted into the significance of vocational training in conveying social values and attitudes. For example, this includes looking at the role of apprenticeships in integration (in particular, of young people with a migrant background), or at the contribution of vocational training towards the communication of values and attitudes, which could, in turn, contribute to social change.