Teaching strategies for the acquisition of competencies in vocational training: Student profiles

The profile of students entering technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programs is very diverse. This study aims to show how the implementation of student-centered teaching strategies supported by technological tools facilitates the acquisition of professional, personal and social skills in TVET. Various strategies supported by technological tools were implemented in the framework of an innovation scheme in the Bachelor’s Degree in Administration and Finance over a period of three academic years. After analyzing the sociodemographic characteristics of the students, two multivariate analyses were performed to determine the factors representative of the underlying dimensions and identify groups of students with different profiles. The analysis revealed three groups of students for whom digital skills, work experience and maturity were determining factors in the acquisition of competencies. These new tools entail new roles for teachers and new learning environments for students, while enhancing motivation, creativity, and personal and social skills.