This paper has been prepared by the Education Training Foundation (ETF) in collaboration
with the UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP), as one of the
discussion papers for the Policy Forum on ‘Engaging youth in planning education for social
transformation’, to be held in Paris on 16–18 October 2012.
It is based on the results of a number of ETF initiatives, including the project on ‘Union for
Mediterranean Employability Review’ and the ETF Transition from School to Work project.
This analysis mainly covers the eight Southern and Eastern Mediterranean (SEMED)
countries (Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Lebanon and Occupied
Palestinian territory – OPT.)
The paper provides an overview of the main challenges of transition from school to work, and
offers reflections to be considered when designing, implementing and revising policies to
facilitate youth employment and youth entry into the labour market. Specifically, it provides
an overview of the following issues:
• the main socio-economic and demographic challenges that influence youth
employment in the Mediterranean region;
• the main challenges to a smooth transition by youth from school to work;
• the tools for analysis of an in-depth study of transition patterns, with particular
reference to the methodology developed and implemented by the ETF;
• the range and type of transition programmes and services implemented by
governments, their effectiveness and impact;
• reflections on the role that youth have, and may have, in the policy planning and
implementation of transition programmes;
• recommendations that may help enhance the effectiveness of government transition
programmes.