Early School Leavers and Disadvantage in the Labour Market: A Review of the Role of Career Education

Abstract

Early school leavers have always been perceived as being at a disadvantage in the labour market, even prior to the days of extreme youth unemployment. Although recent years have seen increasing numbers of young people remain at school or engage in some other form of post-compulsory education or training, there are still many young people who leave school early and do not complete any form of post-compulsory education or training. This paper attempts to review the Australian context on this issue, including research findings on profiles of early school leavers, their eventual employment status and its individual and social cost. The paper then briefly reviews government policy and suggestions for education and training structures and, in particular, the renewed focus on career education and facets of its role with early school leavers.