VET, STEM Occupational Groups and Interaction with the Local Environment in Spain

Abstract Context: Previous research on VET systems in Spanish regions shows that these systems tend to be grouped in two different clusters, one of them with high socioeconomic performance and better VET supply indicators and the other one with low performance in this regard. Therefore, a question arises as to whether the VET supply factors are favoured in the regions exhibiting highest socioeconomic performance. Approach: Due to the importance of STEM VET enrolment as a VET supply factor, the current study analyses the relationship between VET students’ enrolment in STEM courses and a series of indicators of the regional socioeconomic environment. Findings: Two contextual (socioeconomic) indicators mainly predict STEM VET enrolment in a positive and significant way: working population aged 16–64, by sector of industry and working population aged 16–64, with VET qualifications in the same sector. In addition, some exploratory analyses show that the general working population in the industrial sector has a higher impact on STEM VET enrolment when the working population with VET qualifications among the industrial workers is also high. Conclusion: From a wide range of socioeconomic indicators, those related to the demand of STEM qualifications are the most relevant when explaining STEM VET enrolment. Both the relevance of the industrial sector at the local level in terms of employment and the weight of workers with VET qualifications in this sector have a key role in the demand factors influencing the enrolment in STEM VET