The impact of VET on transition to work for young people in Australia

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to analyse and summarise the Australian research on the impact of vocational education and training (VET) on transitions to work for young people aged 15 to 24 years. Design/methodology/approach -The methodology involved the compilation of statistics on VET participation by young people and a review of research on the topic of young people and the longer-term impact of VET on transitions into work. Research included in the review was restricted to Australian research published during or after 2005. Findings -The findings suggest that young people who participate in VET experience better employment outcomes compared to young people who do not participate in post-school education and training. However, the smoothness of the transition into work varies for young people who participate in VET programs. Programs linked to the workplace provide the most rapid and successful transitions while other VET programs, such as certificate I and II courses, often require further study at a higher level in order for students to achieve their desired job. The paper also shows that school VET programs have a particularly positive effect on transitions into work for early school leavers. Originality/value -The paper consolidates the knowledge on how VET assists young people's transitions into work. By focusing on longitudinal research, the paper enhances the understanding of the longer-term impact of VET for young people.

Framing the Policy Analysis of OECD and Australian VET Interaction: Two Heuristics of Policy Transfer

“…Participation rates are on the rise in VET programs (Woods, 2008). Even with such improvements, the VET sector continues to garner comparatively less attention than the higher education sector.…”

Decisão de carreira na transição da universidade para o mercado de trabalho: validação de instrumento de medida

“…Pesquisas realizadas nos Estados Unidos, Canadá, Austrália, União Europeia, Grécia e Japão (WENDLANT; ROCHLEN, 2008;BUHL, 2007;WOODS, 2008;MARKS, 2005;CHAVACCI, 2005) apontam que disciplinas voltadas à educação de carreira (JENSCHEKE, 2002) produzem efeitos nas variáveis de maturidade, tomada de decisão, identidade vocacional e autoeficácia.…”

Secondary student outcomes and perspectives on a multiple pathways approach to education : engagement, achievement, and transitions.

“…Since at least the 1970s, the transitions from secondary school to postsecondary school as well as postsecondary school to the workforce has been a focus of national researchers as well as holds an international focus with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (Woods, 2008;Glenn, 1971). These two transitions that young people undertake in a rather short amount of time are transitions that mark major developmental shifts (Salmela-Aro, & Tuouminen-Soini, 2010;Lefkowitz 2005;Schulenberg, Bryant, O'Malley, 2004;Shanahan, 2000).…”

“…The outcomes of this approach point in favor of more CTE oriented programs. For instance, in Australia, VET students have better employment outcomes compared to academic counterparts (Woods, 2008). Furthermore, programs that are specifically linked to resources within the workforce have rapid success in terms of transitions.…”

“…This is true for both boys and girls as VET/CTE programs provide clear pathways to industry certificates as well as the specific workforce sector they would like to work in (Woods, 2008).…”