Sectoral Value-Normative Context of Youth Pre-Vocational Preparation in Kazakhstan

Abstract

This study is devoted to the analysis of value-normative representations of employed adults in Kazakhstan as an external sociocultural context for the socialization of youth work and pre-vocational preparation. The empirical basis of the study is a national survey of adults aged 18 and older conducted in May–June 2025 (N = 3,123). The analysis draws on respondent-level data for the employed subsample (n = 2,314) and on contractor-provided sectoral cross-tabulations. Since sampling weights and design parameters were unavailable, the results are interpreted as unweighted descriptive and adjusted associations. The analysis enables identification of an intersectoral normative core centered on responsibility, decency, diligence, honesty, and the expectation of decent work, while also revealing zones of sectoral variability in perceptions of cultural-policy orientations. The findings reveal that adults' expectations for youth value education focus on national and universal values, including health, responsibility, cultural heritage, and respect for nature. The study does not claim causal sector effects or provide direct evidence of learner outcomes. Its contribution is to provide a contextual map for subsequent design-based research on pre-vocational support, including inclusive educational settings.