Determinants of school to work transition and COVID-19

Abstract

PurposeThis is Part 1 of the two special issues on the topic, “School to work transition around the world – the effect of the pandemic recession.” The first part focuses on the determinants of the school-to-work transition (STWT) and the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the young worker and their response to uncertain labor market conditions. The second issue will explore the country-specific experiences around the globe in tackling the problem of a smooth STWT. The purpose of this introductory article is to elaborate on the transition of young workers in the labor market. Discussion on the status of various indicators of the youth labor market (unemployment, underemployment and not in employment, education and training [NEET]) is also integrated. The determining factors of school-to-work transition (STWT) and the role of technical and vocational institutions and universities are analyzed. Moreover, the impact of COVID-19 on the labor market is also evaluated. After the pandemic, there was a dreadful change in the job market; this study dives into those diverse factors and carves out the multiple impacts on youth unemployment.Design/methodology/approachThe study analyses relevant literature on STWT, NEET and COVID-19 implications for the labor market, based on the other papers in this special issue. Using the review method, the authors identified similar research articles and reports which helped in strengthening the study’s argument. The primary focus of the study was on the smooth transition of young workers in the labor market and the impact of the pandemic on youth unemployment. Hence, literature supported the authors in giving the justifications from various economies and societies.FindingsThe paper finds that youth worldwide have suffered from the repercussions of COVID-19, especially in their early career (STWT). Skill mismatch, underemployment, job losses, salary cut downs, health issues, vocational education importance, vulnerable employment, etc. were some of the significant impacts the authors identified by analyzing the various reports and papers. Furthermore, this paper also discusses the role of active labor market policies and hiring incentives for promoting youth employment.Social implicationsThe paper finds that the times ahead are challenging ones. There is a dearth of productive job opportunities due to slow economic growth. The unemployment rate among youth and adults is high, and labor markets have become more competitive. The young generation is now left with no choice but to upgrade and improve their skill set or some other expertise. On the one hand, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and universities need to enhance their marketable knowledge and skills, and on the other hand, there is a need for active labor market policies to encourage their participation in the labor markets.Originality/valueThis paper strongly contributes to highlighting the professional and societal hit backs faced due to the aftermath of COVID-19. The study summarizes the specific details of STWT and employment issues faced by youth in various parts of the world.

Young graduates and economic recession: Lessons from the pandemic to prevent the (re)incidence of mental health symptoms

“…Researchers are concerned about the exceptionally weak and uncertain labour market caused by the COVID‐19 pandemic 14–16 . The impacts of the pandemic on the labour market outcomes worldwide include skill mismatch, job losses, temporary employment, underemployment, reduced job opportunities, salary cuts, health issues, and the renewed relevance of vocational education 7 . Studies have provided evidence for single countries, notably higher inactivity rates and an increase in the number of young people not in employment, education or training in Italy 8 ; job losses of low‐wage earners working in industries most affected by the lockdown in Canada 17 ; and the scarring and labour market disorientation of young people in the UK 18 .…”

“…Researchers and experts have been voicing their concerns about the effect of the unprecedented pandemic-driven economic crisis on the labour market outcomes of the class of 2020. Two studies provide evidence of the impact of the pandemic on the transition from school to the labour market, 7,8 and on graduates' well-being. 9 Moreover, a new crisis emerged in 2022 that again compromises the professional lives of young people, further exacerbating pandemic-related problems that remain unresolved.…”

Strategies for Engaging and Outreaching NEETs in Italy: Insights From Active Labour Policies

“…The closure of businesses, limited job openings, and increased competition for available positions have created a highly challenging environment for these young individuals (Carta & De Philippis, 2021;Cefalo & Scandurra, 2021). At the same time, the pandemic has disrupted educational systems, leading to school and university closures, remote learning challenges, and limited access to vocational training programs (Consolazio et al, 2022;Pastore & Choudhry, 2022;Pozzoli et al, 2022). This disruption has significantly impacted NEETs (Fiaschi & Tealdi, 2022), as they often lack the necessary qualifications and skills that employers demand .…”

Determinants of school-to-work transition: global outlook

“…Even before the pandemic hit, young people struggled to find work, with their unemployment rate three times higher than adults. After Covid, the situation has become even more challenging for young workers (see Pastore and Choudhry, 2022).…”

“…This paper belongs to the second part of the Special Issue on “School-to-work transition around the world: The effect of the pandemic recession.” While the first part focused on the determinants of school-to-work transition and the implications of Covid pandemic on young workers and their response to uncertain labor market conditions (see Pastore and Choudhry, 2022), this second part explores the specific experiences of countries around the globe in tackling the issue of the school-to-work transition. As countries vary significantly from each other in terms of their economic, socio-demographic, political and institutional characteristics, the school-to-work transition experiences of youth are undeniably heterogeneous (Pastore and Zimmermann, 2019; Pastore et al ., 2021).…”