Introduction. The shortage of personnel with secondary vocational education in the labour market is a phenomenon that, along with other reasons, is linked to students dropping out voluntarily. For vocational educational organisations, the issue of student dropout also has direct financial consequences. Student retention is a key indicator of a college’s performance. A low retention rate of students directly affects the stability of the teachers’ workloads. This leads to a decrease in the motivation of the teaching staff, a deterioration in the quality of education and creates a situation that exacerbates the problem of dropout.
Aim. Analysis of the causes and factors influencing the dropout of students from the secondary vocational education system.
Methods. The leading method was the analysis of statistical data of the SPO-1 form from the 2017 to 2024 academic years.
Results. The study systematised the causes and factors behind student dropout in programmes for training skilled workers and mid-level specialists in public and private vocational educational organisations. Measures to preserve the student body were proposed.
Scientific novelty. Systematisation of the causes and factors behind student dropout from the secondary vocational education (SVE) system.
Practical significance. The proposed measures for improving student retention mechanisms can be used by the administration of educational institutions when developing strategies to reduce the proportion of students who leave before obtaining a diploma.