The Transition from School to Work--the European Experience: Implications for Research and Development. Occasional Paper No. 49.

Examining the transition from school to work in Europe, this speech focuses on a comparison of initial occupational preparation for young people in France, Germany, and Great Britain. The desired competencies in new entrants to the labor market are listed in four categories: basic cognitive skills; personal qualities and work attitudes; interpersonal skills; analytical abilities and the ability to plan, organize, or make decisions; and specific occupational skills. A detailed description of national systems of skill training in France is provided. The following five issues regarding initial occupational preparation in Europe are presented: (1) What occupations should be designated for training purposes and how can one be separated from another? (2) How long should the training last? (3) In what setting should occupational skills be acquired? (4) Where in the educational and work cycle should this training occur? (5) Who should receive formal skill training? A question and answer section is included in which the author answers questions relating to topics such as apprenticeships, the vocational education system in France, women in vocational education, handicapped people in vocational education, teacher training programs in other countries, manpower and educational planning, and how vocational education in other countries will effect change in the United States' vocational education policy. (LRA)