Lost in transition? A comparison of early drop out from education and training in England and France

Abstract

Contact details: Professor Carol Hayden, ICJS, University of Portsmouth, St. George’s Building, 141, High Street, Portsmouth, England. PO1 2HY. carol.hayden@port.ac.uk Early drop out from education and training Concern about early drop out from education and training is evident in many nations worldwide. In rich industrialised countries, such as France and England, debate is often associated with issues to do with citizenship, the reduction in the availability of unskilled work and the perceived risk of social exclusion for those who drop out of education and training. As it has become less and less common for young people in such countries to get full-time employment at the age of 16, youth transitions have become more protracted. Ending education and training at 16 can now be seen as a form of early drop out. Not staying in education or training beyond the age of 16 will, in some cases, follow a longer period of disengagement with and poor attendance in compulsory schooling. Early drop out and lack of qualifications and training is strongly associated with unemployment.