Youth and professional education

convergences between public policies and the aspirations of 63 young people from the Sertões of Crateús

Abstract

This article aims to explore the intersections between public policies on Vocational Education and the aspirations of young people from the Sertões de Crateús region of Ceará, especially with regard to work and education. The research, of a qualitative nature, employed the following main methods: documentary analysis, bibliographic review, focus groups with students from two State Schools of Vocational Education (EEEPs), and interviews with the state coordinator of Vocational Education, linked to the Education Department of the State of Ceará. The findings indicate that, although students recognize the quality of the technical training provided, there is a tension between the profile of technical training offered by the EEEPs and the broader expectations of these young people regarding their professional and educational future. The analysis emphasizes the importance of intensifying the participation of young people in the development and review of educational policies, in order to seek a more effective convergence between institutional guidelines and student aspirations.