Continuing professional development for engineers - vocational teachers in Mechatronics

Abstract

This paper concerns the continuing professional development (CPD) of engineers - vocational teachers in mechatronics. Vocational teachers work is based on teaching competence and competence related to a specific work-life vocational practice. Mechatronics is broadly based on three regions: mechanical, electrical and computer engineering and represents a scientific field, which has been recently developing and growing in an unusually rapid way. Needs of mechanical and electrical engineers - VET teachers in mechatronics among others are using new pedagogies and making extensive use of new technologies. In this paper, we analyze vocational teachers participation Serbian Vocational Education and Training (VET) CPD program, in the field of Mechatronics in the sample of 43 VET teachers. The obtained results show that training topic of the greatest positive influence and the greatest needs for CPD trainings are divided between new technologies in the workplace and various pedagogical and didactic knowledge and skills.