Preliminary insights from the EDU-LAB systematic review

The goal of many policies and programmes across Europe is supporting youth in their transitions from education and training into the labour market by seeking to improve participation, strengthen pathways into work and reduce the number of youth, classified as NEET (not in education, employment or training).

During the first year of out project we conducted a systematic literature review of policies, programmes and investments that support youth transitions.

Deliverable D2.1 examines the effectiveness and efficiency of such measures by identifying the unintended effects and shining a light on evidence gaps in the existing literature.

The review suggests that when it comes to policy effectiveness, it is important to focus on integrated support systems, targeted measures, strong vocational pathways, coordinated investment and improved monitoring frameworks as opposed to depending on a single intervention.

Integrated support systems appear more effective

One of the central findings of the EDU-LAB systematic review is how important comprehensive and integrated support structures that link education, training and employment support are. it is suggested by the literature that oftentimes policies can tend to be more effective when these systems are coordinated rather than fragmented. This reflects the reality that often these transitions involve movement across multiple institutions. The literature review highlights that an important condition for effective transitions from education and training into labour is the coordination between education systems, labour market institutions, and support services.

Targeted support remains important for vulnerable groups

Also identified in the review is that within policy effectiveness, targeted programs with strong support structures is an important factor. This is particularly relevant given the persistent influence of socio-economic inequalities, regional disparities, gender employment gaps, and barriers related to mental health on youth transitions. Also pointed out in the literature review is the uneven outreach and guidance, especially for harder-to-reach groups, that suggests that broad policy coverage in and of itself may not suffice without targeted approaches that address different starting positions and needs.

Vocational pathways and work-based learning play an important role

Another recurring finding concerns the role of strong vocational education and training pathways, including work-based learning and apprenticeships as associated with more effective and efficient transitions in the literature.

According to our review, in some contexts, smoother transitions may be supported by closer links between education and labour market opportunities, including employer engagement . However, it should also be noted that the effectiveness of this depends on the quality, relevance, and system coordination rather than on any single model.

Policy efficiency depends on coordinated investment and evaluation

Alongside effectiveness, efficiency is also considered in the systematic review. The reviewed literature suggested early investment, coordinated funding, and robust evaluation frameworks are factors that are important for improving the cost-benefit alignment. Also highlighted is the importance of aligning funding structures with long-term objectives and that well-designed work-based learning systems may also benefit efficiency improvements.

Monitoring long-term outcomes remains a key challenge

Highlighted in the review are various limitations in the measurement of policy success. One example is the focus on outputs rather than long-term outcomes by monitoring frameworks, even though youth transitions oftentimes unfold over much longer periods.

The reviewed literature, therefore, is pointing to the importance of strengthening monitoring systems that can better capture progression, stability, and longer-term transition quality, rather than only immediate outputs.

Policy effectiveness depends on institutional context

The EDU-LAB systematic review also emphasises that policy effectiveness depends strongly on institutional and regional context. Identified in the literature are different transition patterns across Nordic continental, Liberal (market-oriented), Southern and Eastern European systems that reflect variations in the structures of governance, vocational systems, and labour market conditions. This suggests that the effectiveness of policy cannot be separated from the institutional environments and that measures that are implemented may operate differently depending on national structures and contexts.

A Year One contribution

As a year one contribution, the EDU-LAB systematic literature review provides a structured overview of what the existing literature suggests about effective policies that support youth transitions. Highlighted are the importance of integration, targeted support, vocational pathways, coordinated investment, and improved monitoring, while also identifying important limitations and evidence gaps. In the coming phases, EDU-LAB will build on this foundation through further data analysis, expert consultation, and qualitative research to support a more comprehensive understanding of youth transitions from education and training into the labour market across Europe.

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