Coinvolgere gli studenti nella progettazione dei Percorsi per le Competenze Trasversali e per l’Orientamento (PCTO) per favorire il valore orientante dell’esperienza. Uno studio mixed methods

The constant changes in the labor market require education and training systems to better prepare students to meet the growing demand for highly skilled workers. The Paths for Transversal Competencies and Orientation (PCTOs) aim to strengthen students’ career readiness by facilitating the connection between theory and practice and developing skills useful for the school‐to‐work transition. This study, part of a Nationally Relevant Research Project, aims to assess the level of student involvement in the design of PCTO programs and the role that such involvement plays in the perception of the coherence and usefulness of the pathway and in career preparation. A mixed‐methods approach was adopted, involving a sample of 745 students from two secondary schools. Students were administered a structured questionnaire; subsequently, in‐depth insights were gathered through focus groups with a selection of students on a voluntary basis. The results show that greater involvement in the design phase is associated with a higher perception of coherence and usefulness of the program, fostering greater clarity regarding professional goals. However, several critical issues emerge, particularly concerning the limited customization of the pathways and the perceived lack of decision‐making autonomy among students. Although the ministerial guidelines on PCTO recommend implementing the programs through a codesign process shared with students, the evidence presented clearly highlights the absence of a clear and structured planning process capable of ensuring the effectiveness of the pathways.