Browsing by Subject "Dropouts"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Open Access
    Impacto percibido de las prácticas laborales en la adquisición de competencias y las expectativas de jóvenes en situación de vulnerabilidad
    (Universidad de Murcia. Servicio de Publicaciones, 2026) Merino Pareja, Rafael; Alarcón, Xavier; Palomares Montero, Davinia; Sin departamento asociado
    Internships bridge theoretical knowledge with practical experience. This experiential learning process enhances personal and professional development, improves employability, and fosters critical reflection (Jerez Gómez et al., 2023; Marhuenda y Chisvert-Tarazona, 2022). This study focuses on internships’ importance for vulnerable youth, particularly students from second chance schools, which offer a flexible educational approach (Palomares-Montero y Marhuenda, 2024). A survey was conducted among 1,336 students enrolled in 28 Spanish second chance schools during the 2022-2023 academic year. The questionnaire, distributed in May 2023, collected data on students’ profiles, internship experiences, learning outcomes, and future expectations. The study applied both descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analysis to examine the relationship between internships and variables such as skill improvement and job prospects. The results show that 33% of students completed internships, while 54% had not started and 23% did not plan to undertake them. Students who completed internships reported more positive perceptions of skill development and a higher expectation of finding a job, particularly within five years. These findings highlight internships’ positive impact on skill acquisition and expectations of employability, especially in older youth groups, contrasting with earlier research (Marhuenda et al., 2022) that found internships less valued. The study underscores internships’ transformative role in overcoming socio-economic barriers and unlocking vulnerable youth’s potential.