Introduction. Nowadays, professional self-determination is recognized to be a significant component of education. In a rapidly changing post-industrial society, professional self-determination turns into the continuous process of forming the professional trajectory by the individual based on the available personal opportunities and requirements. To enhance the effectiveness of this process, a person who is going to enter adulthood needs assistance not only in the choice of profession, but also in search of resources for development and implementation of own educational and professional scenario which is adequate to modern realities and challenges, as well as training in independent use of these resources. In this regard, one of the main priorities of schools is to provide support to students in their professional self-determination and the help in stage-by-stage making decisions on continuation of education and further professionalization.The aimof the present research is an assessment of the state of psycho-pedagogical support for the professional self-determination of students in a modern Russian public school.Methodology and research methods. The methodological framework was the set of competency-based, practice-focused and subject approaches with the position that professional self-determination is a cross-disciplinary continuous social phenomenon. A theoretical part of the research was “The concept of maintenance of professional self-determination of students in the conditions of continuing education”. Face-to-face and online questionnaires of teachers and parents were the leading methods of a practical part of the research. The Vortex program was used to process the data obtained using methods of mathematical statistics.Results and scientific novelty. The system of school education does not cope with the vocational-oriented education duty. Based on the review of scientific and sociological sources, the authors identified the problems which do not allow optimizing vocational-oriented work at school level. The authors examined the opinions of teachers and parents of Yekaterinburg school students. The questions dealt with the process of organizing the assistance for professional self-determination of children and teenagers, and the degree of respondents’ participation in this process. The authors concluded that most of teachers and parents suggest that vocational-oriented events should be held regularly since the 7–8th grades. The overwhelming number of respondents believe that acquisition of knowledge about the world of the professions and skills is additional, but it can be involved into the study load for the fullest self-realization of a child in the future. From the point of view of parents, the most popular professions among school students were revealed and ranged. The respondents’ estimates of a contribution to professional selfdetermination of pupils of additional professional education, socially useful labour and volunteering were analyzed. Factors and prerequisites of effective vocationaloriented work were highlighted. In particular, vocational-oriented work can be successful only in case parents of students are engaged members of the process. Practical significance.The materials, conclusions and recommendations of the research can be used to enhance vocational-oriented work among teenagers and students.

Introduction. Nowadays, in relation to the marked increase in the proportion of citizens of senior working age in the total Russian population, it is necessary to create the conditions for the development of human and educational potential in order to maintain social activity of senior people for as long as possible and successfully continue their professional activities.The aims of the present research are the following: to understand and promote foreign and Russian practices of education of people of pre-retirement and retirement age; to study readiness of senior citizens for training and further employment.Methodology and research methods. At the theoretical stage of the survey, an analytical review of scientific and regulatory sources was carried out. A questionnaire survey was organised in order to collect empirical data. 418 people (males and females) aged 50 to 72, who have different social statuses, education levels and incomes, took part in the survey.Results and scientific novelty. Comparative theoretical analysis of Russian and foreign solutions to the problems under discussion has shown that in Russia there is a legislative framework for managing the development of educational potential of senior citizens. However, unlike most developed countries, Russia does not have practical experience in the implementation of training of senior citizens. The factors, which have a positive impact on the employment of older generations, are identified: in addition to material interest, they include a high level of qualification, rare skills, and a desire to maintain good health, independence and self-respect. The surveys have demonstrated that many senior people, especially university diploma holders, entrepreneurs and self-employed, quite highly appreciate their professional qualities, abilities, merits and reputation. Senior people would like their experience, wealth of knowledge and skills to be in demand; they believe that they could perform social roles and functions such as a mentor or consultant in the professional sphere, an adviser in the authorities, an independent expert, etc. However, negative stereotypes regarding senior workers in the society – as they tend to have poor health, they are passive, helpless, ineffective, conservative, poorly trained, etc. – become a source of discrimination in the labour market. The interviewees disagreed with the characteristics attributed to them. The greatest objections were judgments that senior people were the brake of innovation (71.6%) and incapable of learning (77.1%). The respondents approved the planned measures to provide them with opportunities for additional education and more than half of respondents demonstrated readiness to receive education in various forms: at universities for people of the third aged, in retraining institutions, in courses of advanced training, etc. At the same time, in Russia, adequate organisational, socio-psychological, pedagogical and other conditions for the education of citizens of this age category have not been created yet.Practical significance. The research findings, the results of surveys and the conclusions drawn could contribute to the justification of new directions of state education policy in order to improve its effectiveness for people of senior generations.

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