Determinants of school to work transition and COVID-19

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJM-10-2022-711
• Published date: 13 December 2022
• Date: 13 December 2022
• Pages: 1487-1501
• Subject Matter: Economics,Labour economics
• Author: Francesco Pastore,Misbah Tanveer Choudhry

Determinants of school to work

transition and COVID-19

Francesco Pastore

University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Capua, Italy, and

Misbah Tanveer Choudhry

Suleman Dawood School of Business, Lahore University of Management Sciences,

Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Purpose –Thisis Part 1 of the two special issueson the topic, “School to worktransition around the world–the

effect of the pandemic recession.”The first part focuses on the determinants of the school-to-work transition

(STWT) and the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the young worker and their response to uncertain

labor market conditions. The second issue will explore the country-specific experiences around the globe in

tackling the problem of a smooth STWT. The purpose of this introductory article is to elaborate on the

transition of young workers in the labor market. Discussion on the status of various indicators of the youth

labor market (unemployment, underemployment and not in employment, education and training [NEET]) is

also integrated. The determining factors of school-to-work transition (STWT) and the role of technical and

vocational institutions and universities are analyzed. Moreover, the impact of COVID-19 on the labor market is

also evaluated. After the pandemic, there was a dreadful changein the job market; this study dives into those

diverse factors and carves out the multiple impacts on youth unemployment.

Design/methodology/approach –The study analyses relevant literature on STWT, NEET and COVID-19

implications for the labor market, based on the other papers in this special issue. Using the review method, the

authors identified similar research articles and reports which helped in strengthening the study’s argument.

The primary focus of the study was on the smooth transition of young workers in the labor market and the

impact of the pandemic on youth unemployment. Hence, literature supported the authors in giving the

justifications from various economies and societies.

Findings –The paper finds that youth worldwide have suffered from the repercussions of COVID-19,

especially in their early career (STWT). Skill mismatch, underemployment, job losses, salary cut downs, health

issues, vocational education importance, vulnerable employment, etc. were some of the significant impacts the

authors identified by analyzing the various reports and papers. Furthermore, this paper also discusses the role

of active labor market policies and hiring incentives for promoting youth employment.

Social implications –Thepaper findsthat the timesahead are challengingones.There is a dearthof productive

job opportunities due to slow economic growth. The unemployment rate among youth and adults is high, and labor

markets have become more competitive. The young generation is now left with no choice but to upgrade and

improve their skill set or some other expertise. On the one hand, technical and vocational education and training

(TVET) and universities need to enhance their marketable knowledge and skills, and on the other hand, there is a

need for active labor marketpolicies to encouragetheir participationin the labor markets.

Originality/value –This paper strongly contributes to highlighting the professional and societal hit backs

faced due to the aftermath of COVID-19. The study summarizes the specific details of STWT and employment

issues faced by youth in various parts of the world.

Keywords Youth unemployment, School to work transition, COVID-19, NEET, Underemployment

Paper type Research paper

Introduction

The Coronavirus(COVID-19) pandemic proveddisastrous for economiesworldwide, primarily

because of theloss of jobs and the increase in theunemployment rate. As Pastore(2022) notes,

School to work

transition

1487

JEL Classification —J21, J23, J28

As this is an analytical editorial authored by the Guest Editors of this special issue, it has not been

subject to the same double blind anonymous peer review process that the rest of the articles in this

issue were.

The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:

https://www.emerald.com/insight/0143-7720.htm

Received 13 September 2022

Accepted 24 October 2022

International Journal of Manpower

Vol. 43 No. 7, 2022

pp. 1487-1501

© Emerald Publishing Limited

0143-7720

DOI 10.1108/IJM-10-2022-711