Post‐Secondary Educational Aspirations Among Young Adults With Foster Care Experience: A Focus on Vocational Education

ABSTRACT Post‐secondary educational outcomes for young people with care experience are poor. Studies have typically been limited to those who have aged out of care and have typically examined college/university attendance. Non‐college educational options have potential for gaining credentials to secure productive employment, but these options have received less investigation. Using data from the Fostering Healthy Futures (FHF) study, which included a broader range of care‐experienced young people (not just those who aged out), this study describes post‐secondary educational aspirations and plans in young adulthood with a specific focus on vocational education. We provide descriptive findings on young adults' educational and career goals, plans for achieving those goals and intent to apply and attend post‐secondary vocational education. Findings identify a range of planned paths, a significant percentage of which are vocationally focused, and the importance of work to many respondents. The findings offer implications for better supporting the care‐experienced population in achieving their educational and career goals.