The objective of this study is to analyse the contribution of students of vocational education and training (VET) to the innovation processes of small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) during their apprenticeships. Qualitative research was conducted through in‐depth interviews with 97 respondents in Catalonia, including VET teachers and students, SME managers, and social and institutional agents. Our findings reveal that public institutions have a partial view of innovation, mostly influenced by an industrial positioning, which leads to the neglect of other components, such as the social aspects. In addition, regarding public programmes designed to foster innovation through VET, the results show a lack of coordination between VET schools, SMEs and public administrations. Finally, in relation to apprentices, we find a low participation in innovation processes by students during their apprenticeship as a consequence of the bad implementation of innovation public programmes, due to the lack of coordination between VET schools and SMEs.

中文翻译：

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学徒制度可以促进中小企业的创新吗？加泰罗尼亚案

这项研究的目的是分析职业教育和培训（VET）学生在学徒期间对中小企业创新过程的贡献。通过对加泰罗尼亚的97名受访者进行深入访谈，进行了定性研究，其中包括VET的师生，中小企业管理者以及社会和机构代理。我们的发现表明，公共机构对创新有部分看法，这主要受行业定位的影响，而这导致对其他方面的忽视，例如社会方面。此外，关于旨在通过职业教育与培训来促进创新的公共计划，结果表明职业教育与培训学校，中小企业和公共行政部门之间缺乏协调。最后，关于学徒，