More than six in ten young people who graduated from vocational schools in 2024 are employed, while the unemployment rate increased compared to 2023, according to official data from the National Skills Agency that tracks post-school employment in vocational education.
The survey included 1,143 graduates of the year 2024, or 40.1% of the total graduates. About 83.2% of the survey participants were boys and only 16.8% were girls, a split that indicates the greater presence of men in vocational education.
According to the results, 62.8% of the graduates of 2024 were employed. The level was lower than the 67.6% recorded for the graduates of 2023, but significantly higher than the 40.1% for the graduates of 2020. Of the graduates of 2024, over 46% were employed, 6% were self-employed, while 10.2% worked and studied or attended a training at the same time. Another part, about 18.7%, resulted only in studies or further training.
The share of young people who are neither in employment, education nor training, known as the NEET category, also increased to 18.5% for 2024 graduates, compared to 17% for 2023 graduates, indicating that almost one in five young people who complete vocational education continues to remain outside the labor market and the education system.
AKPA links the slight decline over the last year to the increase in the number of young people who have chosen to continue their studies or other training after completing vocational school.
In total, 81.5% of vocational education graduates were either employed or in further education and training. This indicator remains lower than the 83.1% for the graduating class of 2023.
The data shows a sharp decline in unemployment among vocational education graduates. Only 6.1% of 2024 graduates were unemployed and looking for a job.
Similar results were also found for people who completed courses at Vocational Training Centers. According to AKPA, 63.5% of respondents declared that they were employed after completing the course.
The results suggest that education and vocational training are providing a more direct link to the labour market. However, the low participation of girls and the fact that nearly 19% of graduates remain outside employment, education and training indicate that the “school to work” transition still has gaps.Monitor
