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The integration of learning across different learning sites is an important and challenging task for each vocational education and training system. Although various integrative teaching and learning models have been developed and many reforms have been undertaken, their implementation is complicated by several factors. In particular, individual ways of understanding the relationship between the learning sites could be considered filters that may potentially influence the communications and actions of protagonists in this learning context. This study aimed to explore different ways of conceptualising learning and teaching across learning sites in the Swiss vocational education and training system. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 vocational school teachers, company trainers and apprentices in apprenticeship programmes in industry and business and administration in the Canton of Tessin. Data were analysed by combining data-driven (phenomenography) and theory-driven (content analysis) text analysis procedures. By adopting a phenomenographic method, four ways of conceptualising vocational learning across multiple learning sites were found: as separate learning experiences, as complementary learning experiences, as experiences mediated by intercompany training centres and as experiences integrated at the school level. Content analysis showed qualitative differences among the conceptions in relation to what extent they included socio-cultural key claims of schoolworkplace connectivity. Conclusions regarding potential implications for teachers, trainers and apprentices are drawn, and suggestions for future research are made.

Based on an ecological view of teacher resilience, the paper investigates perceived difficulties and resources among vocational education and training (VET) teachers as a first step for investigating teachers' resilience. Given the substantial shortage of theoretical and empirical studies on this population, more research on resilience among VET teachers is necessary and relevant. In this exploratory qualitative study, interviews with VET teachers in Switzerland (n = 37) sought to identify the specific challenges faced by teachers, the resources to be addressed. As well as confirming the different critical challenges and protective factors emerging from the literature review, the results identify difficulties and resources specific to VET teachers in Switzerland. In terms of critical challenges at a macro-contextual level, teachers' low social recognition is emphasised. Moreover, exposure to curricular reforms generates stress and pressure related to the required standardisation of content and subject changes. At a micro-system level, we detected teachers' frustration in relation to students' low vocational motivation and maturity and specific emerging instructional challenges in vocational subject teaching. In terms of resources, teachers perceived the possibility of diversifying their professional role by alternating school and extracurricular activities as a supportive factor. The results provide a basis for more extensive quantitative study investigating relationship among adversities and resources and resilient strategies.

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