Young people on the European labour market

Abstract

Problems of transition from education to employment have been fascinating scientists for a few decades: in 1980s and 1990s, case studies were seen as the most prospective way of explaining national differences in order to interpret institutional specifics of national educational systems, labour market regulations, etc. However, the method proved to be limited as it did not allow to see the process in transition. The problem has become more acute since then owing to diffusion of formal (school, professional education, additional teaching) and informal education throughout a lifetime. Moreover, the labour market has become more universal due to non-standard forms of employment, teleworking, etc. The authors analyze studies of European scientists and provide data for 15-29-year-olds as to how they choose the transition strategy from studying to working. The influence of economic crisis and economic cycles as well as employment legislation are taken into account; special focus is on the impact of socio-cultural factors on the period when young people change school for a job. Thus, socio-cultural factors can influence the way young people see their employment perspectives and pave their way from school to ofice. That is the choice that a young man makes in contradiction to life circumstances, basing his or her decision upon motivation that depends on social and cultural environment he/she lives in. This study shows that the level of unemployment among young people stands on an economic, social, cultural and psychological factors combination which affects the condition of labour market for the young in a given country or in a group of countries at present. So, the transition of young people from school to work is seen as a complex phenomenon and suggested to be regarded in terms of comparison between general employment and particular youth employment levels. The authors fully accept the theory of human capital, institutional theory and other major conceptions, suggest using them at further stages of research. National educational systems also have to be compared.