We develop novel measures of early-career skills that are more detailed, comprehensive, and labor-market-relevant than existing skill proxies. We exploit that skill requirements of apprenticeships in Germany are codified in state-approved, nationally standardized apprenticeship plans. These...

The European Commission declared 2022 the "European Year of Youth." Apart from the obvious aim to enhance its visibility and political legitimacy, the Commission responded to the fact that COVID-19 badly affected especially young people, manifested in the rise of youth unemployment and of youth...

Does better access to foreign workers reduce firms' willingness to provide general skills training to unskilled workers? We analyze how the opening of the Swiss labor market to workers from the European Union affected the number of apprenticeship positions that firms provide. We exploit that the...

This study analyzes the influence of mental and physical health, coping abilities, cooperativeness, and work commitment on the transition from apprenticeship training to a first job. In doing so, we first investigate transitions to regular employment within six months post-graduation. Second, we...

While an increasing number of conceptual studies postulate that vocational education and training (VET) activities have a positive impact on firm-level innovation, empirical evidence on the subject remains scarce. This study exploits establishment data from a representative survey of German...

Context: After the Eurozone crisis unfolded a decade ago, comparative political economy has investigated reforms of public administration, labour market, welfare state and economic policy particularly in Southern European nations which were hit hardest by the crisis. However, analyses of skill...

Purpose: In the face of constant and rapid development achieving a work–life balance requires highly qualified and motivated professionals who can deal with stress and the demands of the future. In response, by facilitating school- and work-based learning, upper secondary vocational education...

This paper undertakes a meta study on informal apprenticeship in developing countries. It compares the findings of country-level research conducted by the ILO and others in the past 15 years to shed more light on apprenticeship systems in the informal economy. It discusses the features and...

This paper investigates the sources of wage growth over the life cycle, where individuals have the possibility to acquire vocational training at the start of their career. Wage growth is determined by sectoral and firm mobility, unobserved ability and the accumulation of human capital. Workers...

Context: In the present study, we explore what motivates young adults to re-engage with education or employment after a period of non-engagement. Insights into this process facilitate the implementation of tailored support measures for at-risk groups. It is well-known that young people who are...

Context: Covid-19 poses major challenges for vocational education and training (VET), as VET-in contrast to general education-is closely linked to the economic system and cannot escape the impact of current economic restrictions. Additionally, strict infection control regulations, as well as...

The 2008 financial crisis, followed by the COVID-19 pandemic, presented significant challenges - along with some opportunities - for apprenticeship systems and schemes across Europe, bringing into focus their resilience in times of crisis. These events, along with trends such as the green and...

This paper presents an empirical exploration of the geography of adolescents' occupational choices, using data covering a single cross-section of the population of all individual-level apprenticeship contracts in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. The unique feature of the data is that they...

This study evaluates the long-term impact of registered apprenticeship on workers displaced during the Great Recession in North Carolina. Unemployment insurance claimants who enrolled in an apprenticeship program after losing their job experienced improved employment and wage-earning outcomes...

In the standard model of human capital with perfect labor markets general training. When labor market frictions compress the structure of wages in the general skills of their employees. The reason is that the distortion in the wage structure" turn technologically' general skills into specific'...

Bundesweit hat sich die Zahl der dualen Studiengänge zwischen 2004 und 2019 mehr als verdreifacht und die der dual Studierenden von knapp 41.000 auf über 108.000 erhöht. Das duale Studium verbindet einen akademischen Abschluss mit intensiven Praxisphasen in einem Ausbildungsbetrieb; in der...

European firms have increasingly invested in training of employees but differences across countries and types of firms remain – and the Covid-19 shock may have exacerbated them. This report analyses European firms' investment in training over the last six years examining trends, factors...

Das Wachstumspotenzial in Mittel- und Osteuropa für Familienunternehmen ist erheblich; es fehlt jedoch an qualifizierten Fachkräften. Die Studie „Duale Ausbildung und Weiterbildung in Mittel- und Osteuropa“ untersucht erstmalig, wie sich Familienunternehmen in der Region als...

There is an increasing shift of attention from expanding apprenticeships to improving their quality and effectiveness. This brings into focus how apprenticeship is governed for greater relevance and matching to labour market needs, and how the content of what is taught at the workplace is...

In der chemischen Produktion haben die Selbstorganisation der Beschäftigten und deren stetiger Erfahrungs- und Wissensaustausch weiterhin einen hohen Stellenwert, sowohl für die Anlagensicherheit als auch für die berufliche Handlungsfähigkeit der Fachkräfte. Er ist im Hinblick auf die...

This study is, to the best of our knowledge, the first analysis of apprenticeship supply that allows us to analyse the effects of the shutdowns triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic before, during and after these shutdowns by means of daily searches for vacant apprenticeships. Analysing over 10...

Context: Due to limited geographical mobility, opportunities for adolescents interested in company-based training are primarily dependent on regional training offers. Competition for company-based training among adolescents varies regionally, and thus, the chance to obtain a training contract...

Context: Providing learners with quality resources at work and school is a key element of apprenticeships and is essential for developing vocational competencies and successful vocational careers. Drawing on previous research on situational and personal resources, we first explored work-related...

Does better access to skilled workers reduce firms' willingness to provide general skills training to unskilled workers? We analyze how the gradual opening of the Swiss labor market to workers from the European Union affected the number of apprenticeship positions that firms provide. We exploit...

This study is undertaken as part of the Youthworks PH initiative by the Philippine Business for Education. It aims to address five research questions: (a) What are the existing training programs for the priority sectors of YouthWorks PH (construction, manufacturing, and tourism)? (b) How...

Context: Vocational education and training (VET) plays a crucial role in the social inclusion of refugees. The aim of this paper is to examine how the VET systems of Austria, Denmark and Germany responded to the arrival of young refugees since 2015. VET in these countries are all categorised as...

Der Ausbruch der Corona-Pandemie zu Beginn des Jahres 2020 beendete die längste Wachstumsphase der Wirtschaft im wiedervereinten Deutschland. Schon die erste Welle der Corona-Krise bedeutet einen großen Einschnitt in die Geschäftstätigkeit vieler Betriebe in Deutschland, etwa zwei Drittel...