Young People Transitioning to Education and Work
Today’s young people are expected to successfully navigate increased pathways to education and employment despite inequalities in access and readiness for choice.
It is important to make informed decisions about education and employment opportunities, as employment is associated with individual and collective growth. Work is an important part of self and social identities; it defines who we are, with whom we interact, and who we will become both individually and as society. However, pathways to education and employment are characterised by inequalities in access and increased choice which leaves many young people struggling to access education and employment. While some young people continue to be limited in opportunities due to their socio-economic backgrounds, the lack of clear pathways causes increasing numbers of young people to feel overwhelmed and anxious to make the ‘right choice’.
This project reviewed literature on how young people transition to education and employment with a particular focus on publications about young people not in education or training (NEET) in Australia, to explore why increasing numbers of young people in Australia are disconnected from education and employment and what could be done to establish better connections.