Context: The German dual vocational education and training system with its "social institution" (Pries, 2019) of the Beruf has great potential of being transferred to an international level (Busemeyer & Vossiek, 2016; OECD, 2019; K. Wiemann, 2020). In this regard, the so-called Modelo Mexicano de Formación Dual (MMFD) was developed based on the German system. It was adapted or "tropicalised" to the respective cultural conditions and now represents another educational option in the Mexican education system (Cáceres-Reebs & Schneider, 2013; SEP, 2015; J. Wiemann & Fuchs, 2018; K. Wiemann, 2020). The MMFD is principally supposed to meet the high demand for skilled workers but can also help reducing the social problem of youth unemployment (Busemeyer & Vossiek, 2016; OECD, 2019; K. Wiemann, 2020). Despite these potential strengths, the enrolment rate in VET programmes at secondary level in Mexico is 38.2%, below the OECD average of 45.7% (OECD, 2019). Research question: How do youth in Mexico perceive the MMFD and non-academic work? Method: Based on the assumption that attitudes, perceptions, ideas, and theories, or in the words of Moscovici (1988) "social representations" of non-academic work are culturally anchored in a society, and are reflected in individual narratives, the project KuPraMex investigates such representations for the Mexican society. This analysis focusses on the social representations of non-academic work that prevail among youth. The interviewees participated in the MMFD modality and at the time of the interview were on the doorstep of the world of work or had already crossed it. Young people in Mexico were interviewed from September to November 2021. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, it was possible to conduct biographical face-to-face interviews with this group of people while adhering to a hygiene concept. An interview guideline helped the interviewers as a frame of reference. The guideline comprised as main components questions regarding e.g. the family background, the previous educational career the educational and occupational aspirations. The interviews were analysed following grounded theory methodology (Strauss, 1987). Expected results: Preliminary results indicate that most of the young people interviewed attest great potential to the MMFD. The interviewees witness a significant transformation of their habitus through the training in the field of employment (Bourdieu, 1987; Kamis, 2017). In addition, the work context enabled many young people to establish a supportive social network outside their peer group. However, the narratives also revealed that promotion opportunities, salary prospects, etc. are negotiated in relation to educational qualifications.

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