Exploring work-related learning in Campania region and in Naples. Policies to support youth transitions from education to work

Early working experiences are relevant for young people in transition into adulthood and current literature reckons clear country-related outlines in the path from education to work. Therefore detecting interactions between economy, education and job market is crucial to develop effective youth policies. It is essential as well, especially in “time of crisis”, to improve young workers’ skills, strengthening vocational training and guidance. To limit the phenomenon of job mismatch, some of the EU countries have re-defined their education system increasing the links between school, training and job through work-related learning. Specifically, in Italy, unemployment of 15 to 24 year-olds reached 40% in 2013, confirming a wide gap between the North and South of the country. The Italian vocational training system is now set on a territorial basis and consequently differences across regions are relevant. This contribution aims at analyzing the effects of a specific policy of work-related learning, implemented in Italy since 2004, named in Italy as “Alternanza Scuola-Lavoro” (ASL programs). Because of their educational emergency and structural issues in the local labour market, Campania region and the city of Naples seem to offer a direct point of view on a challenging topic.