Details
- Publication date
- 1 October 2012
- Authors
- Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture | European Expert Network on Economics of Education (EENEE)
- Geographical scope
- European Union
- Level of education focus
- Adult education
- Higher education
- School education
- Vocational education and training (VET)
- Thematic areas covered
- Education-to-work transitions, education and labour market
- Educational attainment and participation in education
- Governance of education
- Investment in education, economic impact of education
- Lifelong learning
- Monitoring and quality assurance
- Quality and inclusive education for all
- Skills development
- Teachers and trainers
- Whole-school and whole-system approaches and partnerships in education
Description
This report examines how national education and training systems support young people in transitioning from school to work.
It focuses on key policy dimensions: vocational training, work-based learning, career guidance, and labour market integration strategies. Countries like Germany, Austria, and Switzerland perform well due to strong dual systems combining classroom learning with apprenticeships. In contrast, countries lacking work-based learning face higher youth unemployment and NEET rates.
The study stresses the importance of employer involvement, quality assurance, and clear qualification pathways. Effective transitions also depend on broader labour market conditions, including regulation and wage structures. The report recommends tailoring reforms to each country’s institutional context to reduce early career instability.
Authors
Marc Piopiunik and Paul Ryan
Cite as
Piopiunik, M., Ryan, P. (2012), National Approaches to Improve the School‐to‐Work Transition, EENEE Policy Briefing no. 4/2012.
