Abstract
Due to a higher demand for tertiary education, continued educational achievement has become important for the career development of young people with vocational education and training (VET). In this article, therefore, we examine whether the labour market segment of the training firm influences VET diploma holders’ likelihood of entering tertiary education. In Switzerland, companies from a wide range of industries and with different institutional characteristics assume a large part of the responsibility for training. Thus, the training firm’s position in the labour market impacts apprentices’ education and training. Drawing upon segmentation theories, we argue that structural differences between training firms in different labour market segments result in varying opportunities and incentives for higher education. Our analyses are based on a longitudinal national survey of healthcare apprentices who were trained in the primary healthcare segment (hospitals) or in the secondary healthcare segment (nursing homes). Propensity score matching results show that VET diploma holders who were trained in the primary segment were more likely to enter tertiary education than those who were trained in the secondary segment. This finding implies that the structural conditions in the training firm matter for young workers’ careers by affecting further educational achievement.
Highlights
In light of the increasing complexity of working tasks and a higher demand for tertiary education, the longterm labour market integration and mobility of individuals with an upper-secondary vocational education and training (VET) diploma have been discussed in the social sciences (e.g., Forster & Bol, 2018; Lavrijsen & Nicaise, 2017)
Individuals who trained in hospitals enter higher education more often than individuals who trained in nursing homes
81% of those who trained in hospitals had entered tertiary education while this share amounts to 68% for those who trained in nursing homes
Summary
In light of the increasing complexity of working tasks and a higher demand for tertiary education, the longterm labour market integration and mobility of individuals with an upper-secondary vocational education and training (VET) diploma have been discussed in the social sciences (e.g., Forster & Bol, 2018; Lavrijsen & Nicaise, 2017). Apprentices experience a segment-specific work environment during training because they spend a large share of their training time in the firm This influences their perception of career possibilities within their occupation and subsequent transitions into tertiary education. Lifelong learning and permeable education systems have been stressed as solutions for retaining a competent and up-to-date workforce (European Center for the Development of Vocational Training, 2012) Seen from both an individual and an economic perspective, access to tertiary education for those with a vocational upper-secondary degree is crucial for their long-term labour market chances. It is highly unlikely that transitions into higher education function as a strategy to avoid unemployment and that the results are driven by unemployment risk
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
