Key Elements in Facilitating Student Transitions from Education to Work in The Netherlands

Many vocational education and training (VET) students in the Netherlands struggle with the transition from education to the labour market, resulting in high dropout rates. VET institutions are actively seeking effective mechanisms to support their students during this transition. This research explo...

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Main Authors: Famke de Boer, Vera Schuurmans, Merel Wolf, Ada ter Maten-Speksnijder, Minne Bakker
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Social Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/14/7/416
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author Famke de Boer
Vera Schuurmans
Merel Wolf
Ada ter Maten-Speksnijder
Minne Bakker
author_facet Famke de Boer
Vera Schuurmans
Merel Wolf
Ada ter Maten-Speksnijder
Minne Bakker
author_sort Famke de Boer
collection DOAJ
description Many vocational education and training (VET) students in the Netherlands struggle with the transition from education to the labour market, resulting in high dropout rates. VET institutions are actively seeking effective mechanisms to support their students during this transition. This research explored valuable strategies identified by education professionals to facilitate a sustainable transition from education to the labour market. This study employed a realistic evaluation framework using CIMO-logic (which focuses on the Context, Intervention, Mechanism, Outcome) for analysis in order to gain insight into the processes of change. In total, four cases were studied at two Dutch educational institutions. The research followed an inductive approach using within-case and cross-case analyses. Five key elements were identified: skills and competencies, Self-insight, Self-efficacy, Building a professional network, and bridging education and practice. In school-to-work guidance for VET students, these elements are relevant to consider in guidance programs.
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spelling doaj-art-c1a680edef004e43956fdbcfb79677322025-08-20T03:32:33ZengMDPI AGSocial Sciences2076-07602025-07-0114741610.3390/socsci14070416Key Elements in Facilitating Student Transitions from Education to Work in The NetherlandsFamke de Boer0Vera Schuurmans1Merel Wolf2Ada ter Maten-Speksnijder3Minne Bakker4Expertise Centre for Vocational Education (ECBO), 5211 BP ’s-Hertogenbosch, The NetherlandsFirda, Research Group Lifelong Development, 8931 AH Leeuwarden, The NetherlandsExpertise Centre for Vocational Education (ECBO), 5211 BP ’s-Hertogenbosch, The NetherlandsAlbeda, Research Group Workplace Learning Centres, 3071 AL Rotterdam, The NetherlandsExpertise Centre for Vocational Education (ECBO), 5211 BP ’s-Hertogenbosch, The NetherlandsMany vocational education and training (VET) students in the Netherlands struggle with the transition from education to the labour market, resulting in high dropout rates. VET institutions are actively seeking effective mechanisms to support their students during this transition. This research explored valuable strategies identified by education professionals to facilitate a sustainable transition from education to the labour market. This study employed a realistic evaluation framework using CIMO-logic (which focuses on the Context, Intervention, Mechanism, Outcome) for analysis in order to gain insight into the processes of change. In total, four cases were studied at two Dutch educational institutions. The research followed an inductive approach using within-case and cross-case analyses. Five key elements were identified: skills and competencies, Self-insight, Self-efficacy, Building a professional network, and bridging education and practice. In school-to-work guidance for VET students, these elements are relevant to consider in guidance programs.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/14/7/416school-to-work-transitioncareer guidanceprofessional development
spellingShingle Famke de Boer
Vera Schuurmans
Merel Wolf
Ada ter Maten-Speksnijder
Minne Bakker
Key Elements in Facilitating Student Transitions from Education to Work in The Netherlands
Social Sciences
school-to-work-transition
career guidance
professional development
title Key Elements in Facilitating Student Transitions from Education to Work in The Netherlands
title_full Key Elements in Facilitating Student Transitions from Education to Work in The Netherlands
title_fullStr Key Elements in Facilitating Student Transitions from Education to Work in The Netherlands
title_full_unstemmed Key Elements in Facilitating Student Transitions from Education to Work in The Netherlands
title_short Key Elements in Facilitating Student Transitions from Education to Work in The Netherlands
title_sort key elements in facilitating student transitions from education to work in the netherlands
topic school-to-work-transition
career guidance
professional development
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/14/7/416
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