Übergänge in Ausbildung und Beschäftigung
Wer einen Ausbildungsplatz sucht, braucht einen möglichst guten Schulabschluss. Eine abgeschlossene Berufsausbildung ist wiederum ein entscheidender Faktor für die dauerhafte Integration in den Arbeitsmarkt und in die Gesellschaft. Viele Jugendliche scheitern jedoch an den beiden Hürden Schulabschluss und Ausbildungsplatzsuche. Neben leistungsschwächeren Jugendlichen sind vor allem sozial Benachteiligte betroffen. Dieses Themendossier präsentiert mit Hinweisen auf Forschungsprojekte sowie weiteren relevanten Internetquellen wissenschaftliche Befunde und Diskussionen zur Übergangsproblematik an der 1. und 2. Schwelle sowie politischen Förderstrategien zur Verbesserung der Einmündung in Ausbildung und Beschäftigung.
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Themendossier Schul- und Ausbildungsabbruch.
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Literaturhinweis
NEET und sozial benachteiligte junge Menschen im Übergang in das Erwerbsleben: Konzepte, Befunde, Diskussionen (2016)
Zitatform
Schels, Brigitte (2016): NEET und sozial benachteiligte junge Menschen im Übergang in das Erwerbsleben. Konzepte, Befunde, Diskussionen. In: A. Lange, H. Reiter, S. Schutter & C. Steiner (Hrsg.) (2016): Handbuch Kindheits- und Jugendsoziologie, S. 241-252. DOI:10.1007/978-3-658-05676-6_14-1
Abstract
"Das Akronym NEET ('not in employment, education, or training') steht in der europäischen Sozialberichterstattung und arbeitsmarktpolitischen Diskussion für eine Gruppe von sozial benachteiligten jungen Menschen mit besonderem Förderbedarf. Im Folgenden wird die Begriffsgenese skizziert und Zahlen zu NEETs in Europa vorgestellt. Weiter wird die Aussagekraft der Kategorie NEET, die junge Menschen in heterogenen Lebenslagen zusammenfasst, beleuchtet. Abschließend wird auf den Forschungsstand zu den Bestimmungsfaktoren, Konsequenzen und Perspektiven von NEET-Jugendlichen geblickt und kritisch diskutiert." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)
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Literaturhinweis
Focus on vocational education and training (VET) programmes (2015)
Amaro de Paula, Diogo; Charbonnier, Eric; Kalamova, Margarita;Zitatform
Amaro de Paula, Diogo, Eric Charbonnier & Margarita Kalamova (2015): Focus on vocational education and training (VET) programmes. (Education indicators in focus 33), Paris, 4 S. DOI:10.1787/5jrxtk4cg7wg-en
Abstract
"In 2012, in more than one-third of OECD countries, over half of all upper secondary students participated in pre-vocational or vocational programmes but less than 30% of those students were exposed to work-based learning. Countries with well-established and high-quality vocational and apprenticeship programmes have improved youth employment opportunities. However, in many OECD countries, the share of young people who are neither employed, nor in education or training (NEET) is still higher for graduates from upper secondary VET than from upper secondary general programmes. Students who enter vocational programmes are less likely to graduate than those who are enrolled in general programmes. Moreover, they are nearly five times less likely to enrol in further education than graduates from general secondary schools with similar proficiency in literacy." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))
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Literaturhinweis
Strengthening skill use and school-to-work transitions in the Czech Republic (2015)
Zitatform
Araújo, Sónia & Petr Malecek (2015): Strengthening skill use and school-to-work transitions in the Czech Republic. (OECD Economics Department working papers 1206), Paris, 43 S. DOI:10.1787/5js1pz2xnm6b-en
Abstract
"The education system has reacted slowly to changes in labour market needs, leading to an increasing number of school leavers without sufficient qualification. In addition, declining PISA scores and a rising share of low achievers are raising concerns about the quality of the future labour force. These factors play a role in the stalled income convergence process. Indeed, practices such as early tracking, streaming and low transferability between academic tracks hamper employability, human capital accumulation and social mobility. In the vocational education and training system, resources continue to be allocated on a historical basis. A more endogenous adjustment of the system to better align students' qualifications with labour market needs requires active participation of social partners, students and education institutions. The rapid expansion of tertiary education without a corresponding increase in resources has led to fears about declining quality. Quality in tertiary education can be fostered by modifying the accreditation system, introducing student fees, strengthening the links with the private sector and foreign research networks and publicising information on labour market outcomes by field of study and higher education institution. Measures to better balance family and work lives can improve career options for women and therefore reduce the current tensions between having children and full time labour market participation of younger women. This could also ease the coming labour shortages associated with population ageing. This Working Paper relates to the 2014 OECD Economic Review of the Czech Republic (www.oecd.org/eco/surveys/economic-survey-czech-republic.htm)." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))
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Literaturhinweis
Gender differences at labor market entry: The effect of changing educational pathways and institutional structures (2015)
Blossfeld, Hans-Peter; Dämmrich, Johanna; Vono de Vilhena, Daniela; Kosyakova, Yuliya ; Buchholz, Sandra ; Skopek, Jan ; Triventi, Moris ; Kilpi-Jakonen, Elina ;Zitatform
Blossfeld, Hans-Peter, Sandra Buchholz, Johanna Dämmrich, Elina Kilpi-Jakonen, Yuliya Kosyakova, Jan Skopek, Moris Triventi & Daniela Vono de Vilhena (2015): Gender differences at labor market entry. The effect of changing educational pathways and institutional structures. In: H.- P. Blossfeld, J. Skopek, M. Triventi & S. Buchholz (Hrsg.) (2015): Gender, education and employment : an international comparison of school-to-work transitions, S. 3-38.
Abstract
"This chapter provides the theoretical framework for a cross-national comparative project on gender differences and inequalities at labor market entry. Women's relative gains in educational attainment and the expansion of the service sector would suggest that gender inequalities in occupational returns are diminishing or even reversing. By assessing gender differences at labor market entry, we are able to look at a phase of the life course in which women's family roles are still of minor importance. Distinguishing between horizontal segregation and inequalities in vertical outcomes, we discuss theoretical perspectives on gender differences in the first job. In addition, we include a discussion on how institutional features on the country level may contribute to a gender gap at labor market entry. Finally, we outline the analytical strategy for an international comparison based on 13 in-depth quantitatively oriented case studies contributed by a network of scholars contributing analyses of countries with different institutional, socioeconomic, and cultural settings." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))
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Literaturhinweis
The early careers of the second generations: a double ethnic penalty? (2015)
Brinbaum, Yael; Issehnane, Sabina;Zitatform
Brinbaum, Yael & Sabina Issehnane (2015): The early careers of the second generations. A double ethnic penalty? (Training and Employment 119), 4 S.
Abstract
"Young people from North African origin have greater difficulty in finding employment than their counterparts of French origin. And once they do manage to find employment, their jobs tend to be of lower quality. Thus they appear to suffer from a double penalty linked to their origins which, aggravated by the crisis, does not seem to abate over time." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))
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Literaturhinweis
The effects of vocational education on adult skills and wages: what can we learn from PIAAC? (2015)
Zitatform
Brunello, Giorgio & Lorenzo Rocco (2015): The effects of vocational education on adult skills and wages. What can we learn from PIAAC? (OECD social, employment and migration working papers 168), Paris, 105 S. DOI:10.1787/5jrxfmjvw9bt-en
Abstract
Der Bericht untersucht die Wirkungen der Berufsausbildung auf die Kompetenzen und die Arbeitsmarktergebnisse von Erwachsenen auf Basis der PIAAC, einer Studie der OECD zu den Kompetenzen Erwachsener im internationalen Vergleich. Positiv wird die Vergleichbarkeit der Daten bewertet, die nationale Besonderheiten berücksichtigen und erstmals Informationen über Qualifikationen, Ausbildung und Weiterbildung, Einkommen und Beschäftigung liefern. Weniger positiv ist das Ergebnis darin zu bewerten, dass die beschränkte Datengrundlage die Anwendung einer strengen empirischen Methodologie unmöglich macht, auch weil entscheidende Kontrollvariablen nicht zur Verfügung stehen. (IAB)
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Literaturhinweis
School-to-work transitions during volatile economic times (2015)
Zitatform
Chesters, Jenny & Bernard Baffour (2015): School-to-work transitions during volatile economic times. In: Australian Journal of Labour Economics, Jg. 18, H. 3, S. 307-327.
Abstract
"School-to-work transitions are increasingly contingent upon having appropriate educational credentials therefore leaving school before completing secondary education may result in young people experiencing prolonged periods of precarious employment. Although the Australian economy weathered the recent Global Financial Crisis (GFC) better than many other advanced economies, in August 2009 the combined unemployment and underemployment rate for young people was double the rate for the working age population. During economic recessions, young people tend to delay entry into the labour market preferring remain in school until the economy rebounds and jobs are easier to secure. This paper presents the results of analyses of the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia data tracking the fortunes of three cohorts of young Australians: those who completed school prior to the GFC; those who completed school during the GFC; and those who completed school after the GFC to examine the effect of the crisis on school-to-work transitions." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))
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Literaturhinweis
Indicators and data sources to measure patterns of labour market entry across Europe (2015)
Zitatform
Karamessini, Maria, Antonis Papazachariou, Dimitris Parsanoglou & Glykeria Stamatopoulou (2015): Indicators and data sources to measure patterns of labour market entry across Europe. (NEGOTIATE working paper 3.1), Oslo, 18 S.
Abstract
"Job insecurity has been gaining research and policy attention throughout the two last decades. However, its definition and conceptualisation remain open questions within the relevant literature. When it comes to measuring early job insecurity and patterns of school-to-work transition, several methodological approaches have been proposed. Methods and variables largely depend on existing data sources. National databases have been developed in a significantly uneven way hindering comparability between different countries. Despite the existence of internationally comparable datasets that cover the EU and EEA countries, these datasets are characterised by specific limitations and constraints that render the detection of comparable transition patterns a difficult yet extremely challenging task." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))
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Literaturhinweis
Facing trajectories from school to work: towards a capability-friendly youth policy in Europe (2015)
Otto, Hans-Uwe; Düker, Jan; Ekbrand, Hans ; Bergström, Gunilla; Dif-Pradalier, Mael; Atzmüller, Roland; Sztandar-Sztanderska, Karolina ; Bifulco, Lavinia; Simon, Veronique; Chiappero, Enrica; Haidinger, Bettina; Halleroed, Björn; Hollywood, Emma; Kwiek, Marek ; Kasper, Ruth; Vero, Josiane; Lambert, Marion; Ziegler, Holger; Ley, Thomas; Bonvin, Jean-Michel ; McQuaid, Ronald ; Kjeldsen, C.C.; Michel-Schertges, Dirk; Zielenska, Marianna; Monteleone, Raffaele; Egdell, Valerie ; Mozzana, Carlotta ; Berthet, Thierry; Rosendal Jense, Niels; Schröer, Regine; Rosenstein, Emilie;Zitatform
Otto, Hans-Uwe, Roland Atzmüller, Thierry Berthet, Lavinia Bifulco, Jean-Michel Bonvin, Enrica Chiappero, Valerie Egdell, Björn Halleroed, C.C. Kjeldsen, Marek Kwiek, Regine Schröer, Josiane Vero & Marianna Zielenska (Hrsg.) (2015): Facing trajectories from school to work. Towards a capability-friendly youth policy in Europe. (Technical and Vocational Education and Training: Issues, Concerns and Prospects 20), Cham: Springer London, 394 S. DOI:10.1007/978-3-319-11436-1
Abstract
"This book promotes a radical alternative impact on youth policy in Europe to overcome the situation of vulnerability and discrimination of a growing number of youngsters in their transition from school to work. It follows a Human Development perspective in using the Capability Approach (CA) as analytical and methodological guiding tool to improve the social conditions of the most socially vulnerable young people in European societies. The mission of the interdisciplinary authors is to expand the actual chances of the young to actively shape their lives in a way they have reason to choose and value. This book is based on the research of the EU Collaborative Project 'Making Capabilities Work' (WorkAble), funded by the EU within the Seventh Framework Programme. It is the first empirical project to pursue a justice theory perspective on a European level. It also contributes to a fundamental change in the currently mostly insufficient attempts within the human capital approach to use the labour market to ensure desired lifestyle forms and a secure income for vulnerable youth." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))
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Literaturhinweis
Konstruktion von "Ethnizität" und "Benachteiligung": eine international vergleichende Untersuchung von Unterstützungssystemen im Übergang Schule - Beruf (2015)
Pohl, Axel;Zitatform
Pohl, Axel (2015): Konstruktion von "Ethnizität" und "Benachteiligung". Eine international vergleichende Untersuchung von Unterstützungssystemen im Übergang Schule - Beruf. (Übergangs- und Bewältigungsforschung), Weinheim: Beltz Juventa, 286 S.
Abstract
"Natio-ethno-kulturelle Differenzen und 'Benachteiligung' sind im deutschen Übergangssystem eng verwoben. Wie sind diese Zusammenhänge in anderen Ländern? Der Autor rekonstruiert mit Hilfe einer qualitativen Mehrebenenanalyse Unterstützungspraxen in Frankreich und England im Zusammenhang mit Ungleichheitsstrukturen, institutionellen Arrangements und kulturell-ideologischen Rahmungen." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)
Weiterführende Informationen
Inhaltsverzeichnis -
Literaturhinweis
Working and learning: a diversity of patterns (2015)
Quintini, Glenda;Zitatform
Quintini, Glenda (2015): Working and learning. A diversity of patterns. (OECD social, employment and migration working papers 169), Paris, 30 S. DOI:10.1787/5jrw4bz6hl43-en
Abstract
"The combination of work and study has been hailed as crucial to ensure that youth develop the skills required on the labour market so that transitions from school to work are shorter and smoother. This paper fills an important gap in availability of internationally-comparable data. Using the 2012 Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC), it draws a comprehensive picture of work and study in 23 countries/regions. Crucially, it decomposes the total share of working students by the context in which they work (VET, apprenticeships or private arrangements) and assesses the link between field of study and students' work. The paper also assesses how the skills of students are used in the workplace compared to other workers and identifies the socio-demographic factors and the labour market institutions that increase the likelihood of work and study. Finally, while it is not possible to examine the relationship between work and study and future labour market outcomes at the individual level, some aggregate correlations are unveiled." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))
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Literaturhinweis
Gender inequalities at labor market entry: a comparative view from eduLIFE project (2015)
Zitatform
Triventi, Moris, Jan Skopek, Yuliya Kosyakova, Sandra Buchholz & Hans-Peter Blossfeld (2015): Gender inequalities at labor market entry. A comparative view from eduLIFE project. In: C. Imdorf, K. Hegna & L. Reisel (Hrsg.) (2015): Gender segregation in vocational education (Comparative social research, 31), S. 25-51, 2015-05-20. DOI:10.1108/S0195-631020150000031001
Abstract
"This chapter provides an overview of the results from a cross-nationally comparative project analysing gender differences and inequalities at labour market entry. Women's relative gains in educational attainment and the expansion of the service sector suggest that gender inequalities in occupational returns are diminishing or even reversing. In assessing gender differences at labour market entry, we look at a phase of the life course when women's family roles are still of minor importance. Conceptually, we distinguish between horizontal segregation and inequalities in vertical outcomes. The project was based on 13 in-depth case studies contributed by a network of scholars analysing countries with different institutional, socio-economic and cultural settings. The findings demonstrate that occupational gender segregation is still relatively marked among recent cohorts, though it is slightly decreasing over time in several countries. In terms of vertical inequalities, the case studies consistently revealed that while women enter more prestigious jobs than men in most countries, there is a female disadvantage in economic returns among recent labour market entrants. In addition, we found mixed evidence on the variations of gender equality at labour market entry across countries with different institutional characteristics." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))
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Literaturhinweis
Einstieg in den Arbeitsmarkt für junge Beschäftigte: Antwort der Bundesregierung auf die Kleine Anfrage der Abgeordneten und der Fraktion DIE LINKE (Drucksache 18/5313) (2015)
Zitatform
(2015): Einstieg in den Arbeitsmarkt für junge Beschäftigte. Antwort der Bundesregierung auf die Kleine Anfrage der Abgeordneten und der Fraktion DIE LINKE (Drucksache 18/5313). (Verhandlungen des Deutschen Bundestages. Drucksachen), 94 S.
Abstract
"Die OECD (OECD - Organisation für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung) hat aktuell ihren Skills Outlook 2015 veröffentlicht. Der Anteil von befristeten Arbeitsverhältnissen bei jungen Beschäftigten liegt in Deutschland mit knapp 50 Prozent bei der Gruppe der 15- bis 24-Jährigen so hoch wie in kaum einem anderen der untersuchten Länder.
Dazu schreibt SPIEGEL ONLINE mit Bezug auf den OECD-Bericht: 'Befristete Jobs können zwar sinnvoll sein, indem sie jungen Menschen den Einstieg ins Berufsleben erleichtern. Oft sind sie aber auch mit gravierenden Nachteilen verbunden, wie die OECD ausführt: In vielen Fällen können befristet Beschäftigte ihre Fähigkeiten nicht voll in die Arbeit einbringen. Wer einen Zeitvertrag hat, hat auch geringere Chancen, an einer Weiterbildung teilzunehmen. Im schlimmsten Fall können durch die Befristungen daher Kompetenzen verkümmern, warnt die Organisation.'
Vor diesem Hintergrund ist eine genauere Beleuchtung der Arbeitsmarktsituation für junge Beschäftigte notwendig, und es stellt sich die Frage, welche Konsequenzen die Bundesregierung daraus zieht.
Falls zu den genannten Altersgruppen keine Daten vorliegen, wird gebeten, die vorhandenen Daten zu ähnlichen oder vergleichbaren Altersgruppen anzugeben." (Textauszug, IAB-Doku) -
Literaturhinweis
OECD skills outlook 2015: youth, skills and employability (2015)
Zitatform
(2015): OECD skills outlook 2015. Youth, skills and employability. (OECD skills outlook), Paris, 153 S. DOI:10.1787/9789264234178-en
Abstract
"Im OECD-Raum sind heute mehr als 35 Millionen junge Leute weder in Beschäftigung noch in Bildung oder Ausbildung. Der Bericht baut auf der Internationalen Vergleichsstudie über die Kompetenzen Erwachsener (PIAAC) auf und analysiert, wie junge Menschen Kompetenzen erwerben, wie sie ihre Fähigkeiten einsetzen und welchen Hindernissen sie bei Berufseinstieg und Karriere begegnen. Er gibt Empfehlungen für Politikmaßnahmen, mit denen die Länder die Beschäftigungslage junger Menschen verbessern können." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)
Weiterführende Informationen
Deutsche Zusammenfassung -
Literaturhinweis
Bildung auf einen Blick 2015: OECD-Indikatoren (2015)
Zitatform
(2015): Bildung auf einen Blick 2015. OECD-Indikatoren. (Bildung auf einen Blick. OECD-Indikatoren), Paris, 726 S. DOI:10.1787/eag-2015-de
Abstract
"Bildung auf einen Blick 2015 - OECD-Indikatoren ist die maßgebliche Quelle für Informationen zum Stand der Bildung weltweit. Bildung auf einen Blick bietet Daten zu den Strukturen, der Finanzierung und der Leistungsfähigkeit der Bildungssysteme der 34 OECD-Länder sowie einer Reihe von Partnerländern.
Mit mehr als 100 Abbildungen und 150 Tabellen und Links zu weiteren 150 Tabellen im Internet bietet Bildung auf einen Blick 2015 wesentliche Informationen zum Output der Bildungseinrichtungen, den Auswirkungen des Lernens in den einzelnen Ländern, zu den in Bildung investierten Finanz- und Humanressourcen, zu Bildungszugang, Bildungsbeteiligung und Bildungsverlauf sowie zum Lernumfeld und der Organisation von Schulen." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)Ähnliche Treffer
auch online erschienen -
Literaturhinweis
Differences in the labor market entry of second-generation immigrants and ethnic Danes (2014)
Zitatform
Datta Gupta, Nabanita & Lene Kromann (2014): Differences in the labor market entry of second-generation immigrants and ethnic Danes. In: IZA journal of migration, Jg. 3, S. 1-22. DOI:10.1186/s40176-014-0016-5
Abstract
"Our study is one of the first to take search friction and cross-firm differences in factor productivity into account when investigating firm behavior towards second-generation immigrants in Denmark. We ensure sub-sample homogeneity in search models by matching second-generation immigrants to their ethnic Danish twins according to parental characteristics and informal network quality. We find that second-generation immigrants with a high-school or primary school education, in particular females, perform as well or better than their ethnic counterparts. Second generation immigrants with vocational education, in particular males, face lower arrival rates when unemployed and higher layoff rates than those of their twins." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))
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Literaturhinweis
Labour market transitions of young people during the economic crisis (2014)
Zitatform
Leitner, Sebastian & Robert Stehrer (2014): Labour market transitions of young people during the economic crisis. (WIIW working paper 109), Wien, 35 S.
Abstract
"This paper analyses the impacts of the crisis on various groups in the labour market, providing a comparison across groups of EU countries and individual Central and East European new EU Member States. In particular, it reports how the crisis affected the transitions of people between different states in the labour market: employment, unemployment, education and inactivity. Based on EU SILC data, a descriptive overview concerning the changes in transition rates is provided by estimating Markov transition probabilities. This is complemented by a set of probit regression results pointing towards significant changes in the various transitions triggered by the crisis. This is particularly the case for the younger age cohorts and low-educated workers." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))
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Literaturhinweis
The transition from school to work for children of immigrants with lower-level educational credentials in the United States and France (2014)
Zitatform
Lutz, Amy, Yaël Brinbaum & Dalia Abdelhady (2014): The transition from school to work for children of immigrants with lower-level educational credentials in the United States and France. In: Comparative Migration Studies, Jg. 2, H. 2, S. 227-254. DOI:10.5117/CMS2014.2.LUTZ
Abstract
"This paper compares the transition from school to work among Mexican-origin youth in the United States and North African-origin youth in France relative to the native-majority youth with similar low-level credentials. The goal is to understand the extent to which these groups experience ethnic penalties in the labor market not explained by social class, low-level credentials, or other characteristics. The patterns of employment for second-generation minorities play out differently in the two contexts. In France, lack of access to jobs is a source of disadvantage for North African children of immigrants, while in the United States, second-generation Mexicans do not suffer from a lack of employment. Indeed, the Mexican second-generation shows a uniquely high level of employment. We argue that high levels of youth unemployment in the society, as it is the case in France, means greater ethnic penalties for second-generation minorities. " (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))
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Literaturhinweis
Mapping youth transitions in Europe (2014)
Zitatform
Mascherini, Massimiliano, Anna Ludwinek, Carlos Vacas, Anja Meierkord & Michael Gebel (2014): Mapping youth transitions in Europe. Dublin, 100 S. DOI:10.2806/51024
Abstract
"Young people in Europe continue to experience great difficulties in entering the labour market. Although the youth unemployment rate in a few Member States has started to fall, overall 23% of young European job-seekers aged 15 - 24 could not find a job in January 2014. In 2012, 14.6 million young people across Europe were not in employment, education or training (NEETs), accounting for 15.9% of the entire population of those aged 15 - 29. This report analyses the labour market situation of young people in Europe, focusing in particular on their school-to-work transition, while also monitoring their more general transition to adulthood. The report also investigates the ability of young people to remain in employment against the odds during the crisis and charts their transitions from temporary to permanent contracts. The report concludes with a discussion on the strengths and weaknesses of selected policy measures." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))
Weiterführende Informationen
Executive Summary -
Literaturhinweis
Explaining national differences in education-work transitions: twenty years of research on transition systems (2014)
Raffe, David;Zitatform
Raffe, David (2014): Explaining national differences in education-work transitions. Twenty years of research on transition systems. In: European Societies, Jg. 16, H. 2, S. 175-193. DOI:10.1080/14616696.2013.821619
Abstract
"In the 1980s and 1990s the study of education-work transitions took a comparative turn. Researchers sought to identify national differences in transition processes and outcomes and explain them in terms of institutional characteristics of national 'transition systems'. This was an ambitious aim because it required the study of transitions to develop as a field of 'macro' social-science research, while continuing also to use theories, techniques of analysis and data associated with 'micro' research. This paper reviews the progress of transition-system research over the past 20 years. It describes the development of the research field and how it has been shaped by its theoretical origins, the political context, the availability of data and the organisation of research. The research has made significant if uneven progress towards explaining national differences in transitions; its achievements appear more significant when viewed from a perspective which emphasises the case-oriented rather than variables-oriented aims of comparative research." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))