Juventudes: reflexões acerca da participação política na Educação Profissional e Tecnológica

This study investigated the political participation of young students in the 4th year of Integrated Technical Courses in Informatics and Mechatronics at the Federal Institute of Education and Technology Sul-rio-grandense, Campus Charqueadas, seeking to foster spaces for dialogue for, with and about young people, which enables the recognition of conceptions and forms of political participation. To this end, a qualitative approach was adopted, articulating different data production techniques, such as participant observation, questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The investigation was anchored in references about youth in authors such as Pais (2003), Feixa (1999; 2004), Margulis and Urresti (1998), Dayrell (2007) and Prates and Garbin (2021). Regarding political participation in Gohn (2006; 2008), Groppo (2017; 2020) and Sposito and Carrano (2003), regarding Professional and Technological Education in Ciavatta (2005), Frigotto (1988; 2004), Ramos (2008) and Saviani (1989; 2007). The analyzes allow us to infer that young people demonstrate a desire to participate in politics, seeking different forms of expression and engagement. In addition to the conventional forms of choosing representatives, such as the student union, young people recognize other forms of political action and expression through social networks, cultural and sporting activities such as competitions, workshops and soirees. It also highlighted the need to take into account the different contexts in which young people live to better understand their trajectories of political participation.