How the perceived quality of in-company training matters: A study with apprentices in technical and retail occupations

Given the growing focus on initial vocational education and training (IVET) quality in Switzerland, a study investigating in-company training quality as perceived by 320 apprentices in technical and retail occupations was conducted. The aims were 1) to examine potential differences in the perceived quality of in-company training between the two occupational fields and 2) to analyze how the perceived quality of in-company training was associated with apprentices’ sociocognitive learning processes (self-efficacy beliefs, self-regulated learning, help seeking tendencies) and their intention to prematurely terminate a contract. A survey was used to collect the data. The results reveal a single difference, related to time overload, between the two fields. Furthermore, multiple aspects of quality mattered for the sociocognitive processes considered, over and above the effects of control variables (motivations for choosing the apprenticeship). Finally, interaction effects between the occupational field and the quality aspects were found. The study constitutes a very first step in providing recommendations for in-company training.