The Place of Learning and Training in the Transition from School to Full-Time Work

Abstract

This paper reports a qualitative study of young people in their first year of full-time work. Interviews with the young people, their TAFE teachers (where appropriate), their parents and their employers gave a rich picture of the young people's experiences. The focus of the study was on what the young people learned and how they learned it and this paper emphasises in particular the importance of learning opportunities in career choices and in subsequent job satisfaction. The importance of the existence of a contract of training is emphasised.