Teachers’ and Adult Migrant Students’ Perspectives on Integration and Belonging in the Context of Finnish Vocational Education and Training

Abstract

This article examines how teachers and adult migrant students view integration in the context of Finnish vocational education. Integration is understood as a complex and two-way process in which finding a place and a feeling of being socially bonded happens through participation, acquiring new skills, negotiation and involvement of both migrants and natives. Our research questions are: 1) What kinds of meanings do teachers and adult migrant students give to integration in the VET context? 2) Under what conditions can a sense of belonging emerge or be experienced by adult migrant students?

The qualitative data, 25 interviews with VET teachers and adult migrant students, were analyzed using thematic analysis. According to the results, integration is understood as participation in the formal and informal spaces of daily life such as VET education, working life and hobbies. Integration can be promoted by supporting participation and a subjective feeling of belonging.