Developing a ‘productive’ account of young people’s transition perspectives

Abstract

This article draws on the first two years of a longitudinal study of young people’s pathway and career‐related experiences and perspectives. It argues for a richer conceptualisation of young people’s transition to study, training and employment than what simple school‐to‐labour market models allow. We present four clusters of young people’s interview narratives—the Hopeful Reactors, the Passion Honers, the Anxious Seekers and the Confident Explorers—and examine the way that each differently splices together elements of security and exploration in their trajectories. We suggest a focus on the dual ‘production’ of identity and career to augment analyses of transition and career development for young people.

Keywords:

• Youth
• Transition
• Careers
• Longitudinal study

Notes

1. Wänanga are publicly owned Mäori centres of learning. They are similar to universities except that education is provided in an explicit Mäori context and according to Mäori values. Mäori are the indigenous people of New Zealand.

2. Industry training organisations set skill standards for industry and manage the delivery of training programmes and qualifications.

3. Learning representatives are elected by their co‐workers to represent them to management and promote opportunities for worker training that build into a career.