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Guiding at-risk youth through learning to work
Lessons from across Europe

6. Supported education-to-work transition

6.1. Introduction

The previous two sections of the report have looked into policies and practices
surrounding the early school leaving agenda. They have identified ways of
preventing disengagement and examined solutions for those who have left
education early or are at risk of doing so. The aim of this section is to explore the
types of policies, projects and practices adopted by the study countries to support
the transition of young people from education to work. Although particular
attention has been paid to young people at risk of social exclusion, this section
takes a wider approach and includes mainstream measures. This is because the
transition from education/training to work can be challenging for all young people,
not only those from vulnerable groups.
Several EU policy documents have identified the need to support young
people in their transition into employment. The 2005 European youth pact
stressed that integrating young people in society and working life, and making
better use of their potential, are essential for ensuring sustained and sustainable
growth in Europe (Conclusions of the Council ..., 2006). The Commission’s
Communication on young people's participation in education and employment
emphasised the need to invest more and earlier in youth education, to improve
transitions from education into work (European Commission, 2007b). The new
EU strategy for youth, Investing and empowering, reinforces this message,
recognising that young people's transitions have become significantly longer and
more complex. It urges Member States to coordinate their employment policies in
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line with the four components of flexicurity (European Commission, 2009a) ( ).
Guidance and counselling are also indicated as important accompanying
measures (Resolution of the Council ..., 2004; European Commission, 2009;
European Training Foundation, 2003) as they provide key support at a time when
young individuals have to make decisions that can have an impact on the rest of
their lives. Youth policies also promote the need to equip young people with skills
to help them choose their career path, as well as building a solid foundation for
the lifelong development of their career.

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( ) These include flexible arrangements concerning employment contracts, promotion of active
labour market policies, responsive lifelong learning systems and modernisation of social
security systems.

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