Around the world, young people face considerable challenges. Even before the disruption of the Covid-19 crisis, policymakers were seeking to respond to rapid technological advances, climate change and -- in some countries -- an ageing population and workforce. While children and young people worldwide generally have high aspirations and ambitions…

This article considers the implications of a 'managed' approach to skills policy in Scotland, in which Government policy and the role of national institutional frameworks can be seen to be influential, and which contrasts with the more marketised approach which has been a central aspect of policy in England. A number of themes within these…

This article explores aspects of the experience of higher education students in a Scottish college within the context of widespread contemporary concern about youth unemployment. Analysis of published data reveals a marked shift in the demographic profile of higher education students in colleges in favour of young people. An unseen consequence of…

Examines attitudes of Scottish youth toward the Youth Training Scheme (YTS), a program of reduced-wage training and employment. Attitudinal differences toward the program attributed to social class, gender, and area unemployment rate are discussed. Findings reveal mixed attitudes toward the program. (Author/GEA)

Reports on the employment experiences of young people from two small rural Scottish towns. The majority of available employment was repetitive, and involved poor working conditions and limited opportunity for skill development or promotion. Most respondents recognized that in the longer term such work was detrimental to their quality of life and…

To cope with high youth unemployment in Britain after World War I, unemployment benefits for juveniles were made contingent on attendance at local education centers. This article looks at the administrative structures, costs, staffing, curriculum, and effectiveness of these Juvenile Unemployment Centers in Scotland from 1919-1941. (SJL)

Describes trends in youth unemployment in Scotland since 1977. Notes the patterns and distribution of youth unemployment and considers their implications for education. Describes the changing pattern of instability in the youth labor market, noting the association between qualifications and employment. Discusses likely consequences of the Youth…

This paper summarizes evidence from the Scottish Young People's Survey (SYPS) on the labor market problems of young people in Scotland. The discussion focuses largely on youth unemployment. Other indicators of disadvantage, such as quality of employment and wages, are either difficult to measure or are of doubtful validity for this age group.…

A study compared developments in size of apprenticeship programs and changes in the distribution of apprentices over occupational categories in Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands during the last 2 decades. Data were from the "time-series" school leavers' surveys database. Findings indicated, toward the late 1990s, Irish…

Reviews the research on unemployed adolescents, noting a lack of evidence about the schools' role in preparing adolescents for an uncertain future and about unemployment from the adolescents' perspective. Discusses a Scottish study showing the effects of unemployment on adolescent lifestyle and leisure and the schools' emphasis on work. (SB)

This study investigated factors leading to employment and unemployment for young people living in urban and rural areas in Scotland. Surveys and interviews were conducted with 817 youths, 40 rural employers, and 25 professionals from across Scotland. Findings include: (1) long-term youth unemployment was less common in rural than in urban areas,…

Patterns of school-to-work transition in Ireland and Scotland in 1979-1991 were compared by using data from the annual Irish and biennial Scottish school leavers surveys. Unemployment among school leavers in both countries increased rapidly over the study period. A comparison of both respondent groups' educational experiences, educational…

This book contains 18 articles in which contributors from England, Canada, New Zealand, Scotland, Australia, and the United States explore the relationship between education and work in democracies. The articles are: "Introduction: The Meaning and Place of Work" (Corson); "Towards a Humanistic Conception of Education and Work"…