Higher Professional Education and Vocational Training based on
Dual Educational Model: A Stable Factor in Differentiating Young
People Position in the Labor Market
Ekaterina V. Kosharskaya
1a
, Ekaterina S. Lapshova
1b
and Svetlana G. Menshenina
2c
1
Samara National Research University, Samara, Russia
2
Samara State Technical University, Samara, Russia
Keywords: Higher Professional Education, Vocational Training, Dual Educational Model, Young People, Labor Market.
Abstract: This article examines the position of young people in the labor market. The role of higher professional
education, vocational training, educational policy and duel educational model is examined. The purpose is to
analyze higher professional education systems in different countries, which makes a significant contribution
to clarify the model of training and young people employment. Firstly, we emphasize the role of demographic
factors, economic growth and labor market institutions to explain young people integration into the labor
market. Secondly, we assess the differences in the organization and functioning of higher education and
training policies in some countries as a stable factor in differentiating young people position in the labor
market. Finally, we examine the application of duel educational model in higher education institutions in
Samara region. The research methods are theoretical, empirical, statistical ones and etc. The results are the
following: higher education systems should combine educational frameworks and quality standards with the
experience of the economic sectors to adapt the higher education system to the needs of the labor market; duel
educational model is a stable factor in young people integration into the labour market.
1 INTRODUCTION
Integration into the labour market is a serious
problem to young people in many countries all over
the world. In general, young people are less
vulnerable than older employees, the economic crisis
and the coronavirus pandemic have put a huge
number of young people in the world on the brink of
survival. In recent years, not all countries have
managed to maintain stable employment of people of
different ages and especially young people, and in
some countries the unemployment rate has increased
sharply.
According to the age classification adopted by the
United Nations, the following age gradation is
defined for young people: from 18 to 44 years.
It should be noted that dividing of age periods is
conditional, since there are regional and country-
specific features for residents of different continents.
a
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4413-441X
b
https://orcid.org//0000-0002-1362-0765
c
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5794-5342
In practices, the age classification is used to
develop the main directions of socio-economic and
demographic policy and the allocation of budget to
solve the problems of different age groups.
In our study, "young people" are graduates of
higher educational institutions, at the age from 21 to
25 years.
Institutional attitudes and public policies play a
significant role in young people integration into the
labour market. Several factors require taking into
account considering the differences in young people
integration into the labour market in different
countries. Firstly, it is demographic changes and
economic growth. Secondly, it is the relationship
between the dynamics and long-standing institutional
structures, in particular regulations affecting the
supply of temporary or permanent jobs, as well as
higher education and training policies (Quintini,
2007). Both general education and various forms of
vocational training, whether at university or in the
724
Kosharskaya, E., Lapshova, E. and Menshenina, S.
Higher Professional Education and Vocational Training based on Dual Educational Model: A Stable Factor in Differentiating Young People Position in the Labor Market.
DOI: 10.5220/0010596607240729
In Proceedings of the International Scientific and Practical Conference on Sustainable Development of Regional Infrastructure (ISSDRI 2021), pages 724-729
ISBN: 978-989-758-519-7
Copyright
c
2021 by SCITEPRESS Science and Technology Publications, Lda. All rights reserved
workplace, or a combination of both elements in a
dual training, are necessary prerequisites for young
people employment. Bringing education systems
closer to the needs of changing and developing labour
markets and economies can help young people
develop their career path.
The purpose of this study is to analyze higher
professional educational systems in different
countries, which makes a significant contribution to
clarify the model of training and young people
employment.
Research objectives:
to analyse the main factors affecting young
people unemployment during integration into
the labour market;
to study labour markets and the role of
professional education and vocational training
in different countries;
to analyse the advantages and disadvantages of
dual educational model;
to analyse dual educational model in Samara
Region.
2 MATERIALS AND METHODS
The analysis of young people integration into the
labour market requires a structure that would allow
understanding the main differences in time, as well as
longer-term inter-country differences.
To compare young people position in the labour
market we use standard indicators. However, it is
required to be careful comparing these indicators due
to a number of problems. First, according to the
International Labour Organization, due to limited
data, youth unemployment cannot be
comprehensively studied. Second, some indicators
may have different significance in a particular
context. Third, it should consider a combination of
different indicators.
According to the World Bank, the young people
unemployment has increase in recent years. For
instance, in some countries in Europe the
unemployment rate among this age group is currently
more than 20%.
To explain the differences in the integration of
young people in different countries, it is necessary to
consider the interaction of economic, demographic
and labour market institutions.
Empirical studies demonstrated that demographic
factors (the number of young people, and economic
demand) play an important role in young people
integration into the labour market (Korenman and
Newmark, Freeman, and Garcia, 2011).
Institutional factors effect on structuring young
people integration into the labour market, in
particular the minimum wage, the level of education
and vocational training (Gomez-Salvador and Leiner-
Killenger, 2008).
Thus, higher education and vocational training are
considered as the main factor determining the
probability of a successful integration into the labour
market. In some countries with a high proportion of
university graduates, unemployment may be the
result of a lack of education to meet the requirements
of the labour market.
The research was based on the principles of
integrity, consistency and historicism.
The research methods are a complex analysis,
structural-functional method, theoretical, empirical,
statistical methods and etc.
3 RESULTS
In the highly-developed countries the education
system involves a two-stage integration of young
people into the labour market. The first stage includes
training and education. The second stage is
integration into the labour market. There are some
differences in the types and forms of higher
professional education in different countries.
According to the UK Department of International
Development, there is a difference between the
training on specialization and degree of
formalization. Professional training is divided into
university training, dual system of training and on -
the-job training.
It is proved that practice-oriented-training is often
considered the best way to get well-paid jobs; there is
a risk that it will be poorly linked to the demand in the
labour market.
Dual educational model, which has gained
international recognition as a form of training,
combines work experience and professional training.
Financial cost of dual training is often divided
between the State and organizations. The purpose of
Dual educational model is to complement the rather
organization-specific technical skills acquired
through on-the-job training as a part of the curriculum
with general skills that can be passed on to employers
within the profession. The standards of professional
training in enterprises, as well as the harmonization
of skills taught in higher education institutions and in
the workplace, should also be ensured by cooperation
with employers, trade unions and educational
institutions.
Higher Professional Education and Vocational Training based on Dual Educational Model: A Stable Factor in Differentiating Young People
Position in the Labor Market
725
Higher professional education or professional
retraining is often carried out in training centres at the
level of post-compulsory higher or secondary
education.
On-the-job training allows young people integrate
into the labour market and it leads to become well-
paid specialists.
To sum up, dual educational model:
develops the competencies that allow young
people to consciously choose the career path;
improves the quality of graduates' training and
acquired skills;
develops interaction between educational
organizations and enterprises by involving
them in the learning process;
improves the level of professional training;
reduces young people unemployment;
improves the competitiveness not only of
graduates, but also faculties and the university
as a whole.
It should be noted, that in the field of dual
education in many countries little is still being done,
and companies do not often seek to offer internships
to young people.
The analysis of the dual educational model
revealed the advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of dual educational model:
young people acquire professional skills;
apprenticeship contributes to the formation of a
professional culture and work ethic;
cooperation between companies and
educational organizations strengthens the
economy;
the unemployment rate among young people is
decreasing;
Disadvantages of dual education:
formal cooperation between organizations and
universities leads to inefficient training;
students disinterest in working for low or no
pay as an intern;
the propensity of companies to exploit interns.
The analysis of labour markets and the role and
type of higher professional education in various
countries of the world allowed coming to the
following conclusions: countries such as Austria,
Denmark, Germany and Switzerland, which support
a dual system of vocational training, demonstrate a
smoother young people integration into the labour
market and a lower unemployment rate among young
people than other countries.
In the United Kingdom and the United States there
is a gap between higher professional education, on the
one hand, and on-the-job training, on the other one. It
makes young people very vulnerable in the labour
market.
In Eastern Europe higher professional education
is predominant.
In Spain there is a division between different
market segments; higher professional education plays
a secondary role. It is difficult for young people with
low qualifications and academic training to find a
permanent job.
In Africa the proportion of young people with
higher education is increasing, but their integration
into the labour market is very problematic, as the
public sector is overcrowded, and the private sector is
not sufficiently developed. The existing higher
professional education is out-dated and disconnected
with the economy.
Latin American countries still do not have a stable
system of higher professional education. The demand
for skilled specialists in the informal sector is still
important.
Asia has a low unemployment rate among young
people. General education prevails; it leads to
informal employment and temporary work.
In Russia, mainly higher professional education
prevails. Professional training is still relevant. The
dual model of training is being implemented in
various regions and is a way of transition from
university education to professional activity and
provides young people with a relatively smooth
integration into the labour market to be done with the
involvement of employers.
Thus, the scope of professional training in higher
education institutions varies significantly from
country to country.
3.1 Dual Educational Model in Samara
Region
In the Russian Federation, the dual education model
is being implemented in a number of regions. Samara
region is among the regions that implement this
model of education. The success of the dual training
model in the Samara region is based on the use of the
material and technical base of enterprises.
During the period of practical training at partner
enterprises, bachelors consolidate the skills acquired
during the period of practical training at the university
in the chosen field of training.
Our study of the application of the dual
educational system in higher education institutions of
the Samara region, based on strengthening the
practical orientation of professional training of
bachelors, suggests that this system is an effective
ISSDRI 2021 - International Scientific and Practical Conference on Sustainable Development of Regional Infrastructure
726
technology for their training, contributing to young
people integration into the labour market.
The assessment of the effectiveness of integration
into the labour market was evaluated by university
graduates. The method of data collection is an
anonymous questionnaire survey of bachelor
graduates of Samara National Research University
named after Academician S.P. Korolev and Samara
State Technical University. It includes 340
respondents. The number of bachelor's degree
programs in the humanities and natural sciences is 18.
The average age of respondents is 20.2 years. The
survey was conducted in May – June, 2019.
Table 1: Participants of the survey.
University Interviewers
Samara Universit
y
215 17%
Samara State Technical
Universit
y
125 15%
The first indicator of the readiness of young
people integration into the labour market was
competitiveness, in terms of assessing the chances of
employment.
Table 2: Will your level of professional training allow you
to find a job in your specialty?
The quality of professional training will
allow me to get a good job
68%
There will be no choice with my quality of
p
rofessional trainin
g
15%
I will not need to look for a job, I will be
em
p
lo
y
ed
4%
I will not be able to find a job due to the
p
oor quality of training
6%
I don't know 7%
The survey revealed that about 15% of graduates
is quite sceptical about the level of their professional
training, believing that there will be no choice and is
ready to work "wherever they will be taken". 6% of
respondents assess their level of professional training
unsatisfactory, and believe that they will not be able
to find a good job in their specialty. 7% - could not
assess the chances of employment in accordance with
their level of professional training. At the same time,
the majority of young people said that their level of
professional training would allow them to get a job
successfully and choose a good job.
The next stage of the survey was to identify the
difficulties that young people may face integrating
into the labour market.
Table 3: What difficulties can you face in employment in
your specialty?
There will be no problems with my
em
p
lo
y
ment
25%
Lack of work ex
p
erience 58%
Lack of
obs 28%
Low level of salary 47%
High competition 18%
Poor working conditions 5%
Low level of
p
rofessional trainin
g
8%
Lack of information about
employment opportunities
6%
Need for Vocational trainin
g
12%
I don't know 7%
Most young people believe that they will have to
face difficulties in the employment process. 25% are
confident that they will have no problems getting a
job. Lack of work experience, low wages, and lack of
employment opportunities are highlighted as the main
difficulties that graduates expect to have searching for
the job. Only 12% of respondents are concerned
about the need for vocational training.
Then, we assessed the employment opportunities
in the chosen specialty.
Table 4: How do you assess the possibility of employment
in your specialty?
It is almost impossible to get a job in my
s
p
ecialt
y
4%
It's hard to
g
et a
j
ob, but it's
p
ossible. 47%
I can easil
y
g
et a
j
ob in m
y
s
p
ecialt
y
42%
I have little information about job
o
pp
ortunities
9%
I don't know 6%
Other difficulties 1%
The analysis of the obtained data revealed that a
third of respondents believe that they will be able to
get a job in their specialty without any problems.
About 60 % are sure that they will face difficulties in
the process of employment in their specialty, but they
will still be able to find a job in their specialty.
The following survey aimed to identify the
awareness of young people about specific places of
employment and ways of finding a job.
Finally, we assessed the ways of employment.
Higher Professional Education and Vocational Training based on Dual Educational Model: A Stable Factor in Differentiating Young People
Position in the Labor Market
727
Table 5: How are you going to find a job in your specialty?
State Em
p
lo
y
ment Service 17%
Private recruitment a
g
encies 12%
S
p
ecialized Internet sites 36%
I will ask for help from relatives and
friends
39%
In the company where I took an
internship
41%
I will ask for help from the staff of the
educational institution
17%
A comparative analysis of the data revealed that
one of the most popular ways to find a job is social
connections: relatives and friends. 39% of
respondents plan to use this way. Slightly below 36%
of respondents are going to use online job search
resources. About 15% of young people are planning
to apply to the state employment service and private
recruitment agencies. Employment at the place of
internship is the leading one.
Thus, the application of the dual educational
model, in the young people point of view, is effective,
promoting integration into the labour market.
4 DISCUSSIONS
Higher professional education and vocational training
systems can increase the employability of young
people and increase the chances of getting a stable job
in the private sector. They reduce risks by linking the
acquired skills to the current and expected demand of
the labour market. This can only work with the
systematic involvement of employers. Otherwise, it
risks becoming out-dated and unattractive for both
employers and young people.
While the dual system of vocational training
contributes to relatively smooth young people
integration into the labour market, international
experience demonstrates that attempts to implement
such schemes sometimes fail. Dual educational model
can be effective only if employers are engaged, as
well as systematic training based on modern training
programs. It requires the collaboration of employers
and educational institutions to develop training
programs.
Finally, informal learning and related traditional
forms of learning continue to be a basic form of
employment and training of young people in many
countries. Young people face to particular difficulties
when entering the labour market. In general, young
people are more vulnerable and they are more
exposed to economic fluctuations.
The survey of bachelor graduates in Samara
region demonstrates the dual educational model is an
effective way of integration into the labour market.
5 CONCLUSIONS
Higher professional education and vocational training
based on dual educational model is a stable factor in
differentiating young people position in the labor
market. It is usually associated with smoother young
people integration into the labour market and a low
level of their unemployment, which minimizes the
risk of negative consequences during career path in
the labour market.
The dual training model is a starting point for further
research on the differentiation of the position of
young people in the labour market. It needs to
develop a project management, productive and
efficient professional environment. In addition, it is
necessary to develop strategic planning for the
implementation of this model in different countries of
the world to reduce the unemployment rate among
young people with higher education, taking into
account institutional attitudes and public policies.
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