JOHTO+
JOHTO+ Agency-enhancing pedagogical leadership in vocational teacher education
Project information
| Project | JOHTO+ Agency-enhancing pedagogical leadership in vocational teacher education |
| Duration | 1.8.2025–31.12.2026 |
| Partners | HAMK (coordinator), Jamk, University of Jyväskylä, Tampere University |
| Funders | Teacher Education Forum |
| Budget | 80 000 € |
New insights and support for leadership in vocational education
In this research project, we develop a research-based model of agency-enhancing pedagogical leadership in vocational education and training (VET), and we investigate a related training intervention for pedagogical leadership competence in vocational teacher education. Pedagogical leadership in the VET context is a scarcely researched phenomenon both internationally and in Finland. There is also a need for training in pedagogical leadership competence in upper secondary VET and vocational teacher education, covering comprehensively the specific characteristics of leadership in vocational education.
The development of the agency-enhancing pedagogical leadership model in vocational education is based on a literature review and an exploratory survey. The survey will be published openly so that it can be used in vocational institutions as a self-assessment tool for pedagogical leadership. Based on the developed model, the project will implement a study module in vocational teacher education in two universities of applied sciences providing teacher education (HAMK, Jamk). The evaluation of the module’s impact will draw on multiple datasets, including materials produced by participants during the training, interviews, and surveys.
Overall, the JOHTO+ project deepens the understanding of leadership in vocational education and creates new openings for advancing the development of pedagogical leadership competence in both vocational education and vocational teacher education.
Target groups
- VET providers, leaders and superiors
- Vocational teacher education
- Teaching and guidance staff in VET
- VET and working life associations
- Education policy makers
Compiled information about the project
- Pedagogista johtamisosaamista ammatilliseen koulutukseen ja opettajankoulutukseen. HAMK Uutinen, 20.10.2025.
- Rintala, H., Kolho, P., Löfgren, S., Fónsen, E., Hökkä, P., Ylitervo, R., Pekkarinen, H-K. & Vähäsantanen, K. (2025). Pedagoginen johtaminen ammatillisessa koulutuksessa [Pedagogical leadership in vocational education and training]. Paper presented at the AMK ja ammatillisen koulutuksen tutkimuspäivät. Kokkola, 29.10– 30.10.2025.
- Pedagogical leadership competence for vocational education and teacher education. HAMK News, 20.10.2025.
- Vähäsantanen, K. & Kolho, P. (2025). JOHTO+ Toimijuutta edistävä pedagoginen johtamisosaaminen ammatillisessa opettajankoulutuksessa [JOHTO+ Agency-enhancing pedagogical leadership in vocational teacher education]. Presentation at Finnish Teacher Education Forum’ webinar. 9.10.2025.
- Katja Vähäsantanen (PI), Heta Rintala ja Sami Löfgren (HAMK)
- Piia Kolho (Jamk)
- Elina Fonsén, Hanna-Kaisa Pekkarinen ja Ritva Ylitervo (University of Jyväskylä)
- Päivi Hökkä (Tampere University)
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