Transitioning from School to the Labour Market: An Education for Work-Based Approach
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24310/mar.6.1.2025.20763Keywords:
educational goals, humanistic education, educational transitions, educating for workAbstract
The precarious employment of young people underscores the vulnerability they face during their transition into the labour market. In light of this, education systems must move beyond a purely competency-based approach and embrace their humanising role by incorporating education for work as a key objective. Based on an interpretative and critical methodology, this article explores some key questions from which to justify and understand the importance of approaching education for work as a space for pedagogical action. The first question focuses on thinking about work as a human value and an activity from which we can obtain a series of central goods and that this results, at an existential level, in something meaningful for our lives. It then critically examines how an education for humanistic work beyond the instrumental vision could be shaped within the school institution. To this end, it is proposed to review what kind of connection is established between the education and labour
system, since the success of the transitions will depend on it. This essay concludes by stating that educating for work means creating school spaces where young people can learn about work and working life, providing them with resources and knowledge to make decisions based on their life and professional projects.
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