Generational effects during the transition of school leavers from a migration background into company-based education and training

Abstract

Investigations into opportunities for young people when making the transition into company-based education consistently arrive at the conclusion that transition opportunities for young people from a migration background are worse than for those without a migration background. This applies even when controlling for central and key influencing factors such as social background or occupational preferences. Achievement of the general school leaving certificate is a key requirement for successful transition and the type of school leaving certificates achieved is on average significantly lower for young migrants than for non-migrants. This article examines whether transition opportunities for school leavers from a migration background into company-based education and training are dependent on the generational status, and whether, therefore, reduced disadvantages in terms of opportunity are observed the longer the young person’s family has been resident in Germany. The article also considers the extent to which attainment of school leaving certificates differs between generations of migrants. Multivariate analyses have been conducted based on data from the National Educational Panel Study (NEPS) relating to school leavers in year 9 and 10 at general education schools. When controlling for key influencing factors, it is evident that the migration generation plays an important role both in the successful transition to company-based education and training as well as in school success (attainment of an intermediate school leaving certificate). Overall, an increasing generational status is associated with upward integration and with decreasing disadvantages in terms of opportunity. However, lower likelihood on young migrants on entry into company-based education and training is also still clearly recognisable in the second generation. It is not until the third generation that there is no longer any evidence of reduced transition opportunities compared to non-migrants. With regard to school success, young migrants still face disadvantages even in the third generation.