WHEN TRAINING MEETS REALITY: REFLECTIONS ON TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Abstract

This article aimed to analyze the connection between technical education and the regional labor market, based on students' perceptions and an analysis of curricular proposals. The research addressed Vocational and Technological Education (VTE) as a strategy aimed at the socio-professional integration of young people, considering its limits and possibilities in light of economic and social demands. A bibliographic approach was used, selecting recent scientific articles available in the SciELO database, based on criteria of timeliness, thematic relevance, and editorial quality. The data analyzed revealed a mismatch between technical curricula and regional labor practices, in addition to highlighting tensions between the symbolic valorization of VTE and the reality of a precarious market. It was found that the expectation of social advancement through technical training did not always materialize, being strongly conditioned by structural factors, such as the lack of integrated public policies and the limited institutional support provided to graduates. The conclusion indicates that, although EPT has the potential for productive inclusion, its effectiveness depends on the articulation between training, retention policies, infrastructure and dialogue with local productive sectors.