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Citizenship and Humanisation of the Public Sector

School-to-work transitions of vulnerable young people in a meritocratic society

  • Duration: September 2018 - September 2022
  • Status: ongoing

PhD research by Maritza Gerritsen to better understand how vulnerable young people make the transition from school to work and how they can secure a position in our meritocratic society where they feel seen and valued.

Description

This PhD research aims to better understand how vulnerable young people make the transition from school to work and whether or not they manage to secure a position in our meritocratic society where they feel seen and valued. 


A part-study was concluded in early 2020, in which the theme was examined from the perspective of a municipal authority (the municipality of Sittard-Geleen). 


A long-term study is currently being conducted in the region of Arnhem-Nijmegen into the experiences, wishes and expectations of young people with special support needs attending VSO (secondary special needs education), praktijkonderwijs (practice-oriented education) and MBO Entree (elementary vocational education) with respect to future (labour market) participation.

Researchers

(Co-)financing

HAN University of Applied Sciences 

Results (provisional)

In the municipality of Sittard-Geleen, it was examined how the municipal youth department (‘Jongerenloket’) supports vulnerable young people in finding a job, a home and independence. Six types of care askers were identified and described in terms of individuality, environment and social context. The views of a wide group of professionals (school, care, municipal authority, social support) regarding optimum support were also examined extensively. 


Some of the results: the Jongerenloket is a valuable addition for vulnerable young people, thanks to its low-threshold and attentive approach. More collective and preventative facilities would be helpful; the young person should remain the primary focus in goals and financing; and professionals wish to be alerted to vulnerability at an earlier stage. 


It also became clear that a gap has grown between the support that the municipal authority can provide and the tightened eligibility for the Wajong (Disablement Assistance for Handicapped Young Persons Act) / discontinuation of Social Work Centres (Sociale Werkvoorzieningen). This group of young people requires intensive support, but now has nowhere to turn to.

Contact

Maritza Gerritsen, Maritza.Gerritsen@han.nl.

PhD research by Maritza Gerritsen to gain insight into how vulnerable young people go through their school-to-work transition. What do they encounter when they try to gain a place in our performance-based society?