How young people are faring '08: an update about the learning and work situation of young Australians

This report is the tenth edition of an annual series providing information on how successfully the Australian education and training system is working to meet the needs of young Australians as they make the transition from school to further study and work. This edition is presented in the context of a new Commonwealth government and a new education and training agenda. Key findings include: seven in ten 15 to 19 year-olds are engaged in full-time education, and a further 17 per cent are working full time; engagement in education and training varies by age and state and territory; falls in the proportion of teenagers not earning or learning are related to improved school retention and growth in apprenticeships and post-school education; year 12 is important both to the chances of undertaking further study and for entry to the labour market; very few young people combine part-time study and part-time work; earning and learning rates for young adults are influenced by school attainment, social background, and school achievement; the proportion of 20 to 24 year-olds not engaged in full-time work or full-time education has been falling over the past decade, corresponding with a rise in full-time education but not in full-time work; young women are more likely to be in part-time work or not in the labour force, but young men are more likely to be unemployed; improvements in programs such as VET in Schools may be critical; the Australian youth labour market offers employment opportunities at above average rates across OECD countries; smooth pathways to full-time work more often involve education and training. Show less