Young People in Europe

In a period of rapid social and economic change, labour markets are undergoing major transformations. This book explores the changing fortunes of young people in Europe's flexible and precarious labour markets and the range of policies that are being developed to help them deal with the problems they face. The book draws on recent research carried out across Europe to highlight a number of key dilemmas for youth policy: what help is needed for young people and their parents in coping with lengthened transitions from school to work? What types of training and education are most effective? Is a switch from general to vocational education needed? Is workfare the right solution? The contributors, who are all leading authorities in the field, challenge the conventional wisdom in many of these areas. Key features include: presentation of data from the latest studies of young people across Europe; coverage of countries in North, South and Eastern Europe, allowing the comparison of different welfare regimes; exploration of the impact of globalisation in terms of polarisation between young people and of complexity and difference; an up-to-date survey of youth welfare provision across Europe. The book will be of interest to those researching and studying labour markets and youth policy, and to policy-makers and practitioners in these fields.