In the graduation thesis I researched the importance and the role of social work in the transition phase of young people from higher education to employment. This transition is one of the most important ones, because a successful transition to employment ensures a greater degree of independence. I was interested in the state of current social situation for young people, what kind of knowledge of the rights they have just before the transition, and how social work is or could be useful in this transition.
I carried out a mixed methods research. In the quantitative part, I conducted a survey based on a non-probability convenient sample of the student population that is just before the completion of the studies. And in the qualitative part, I interviewed two social workers from the Social Work Centre and the Employment Service of Slovenia. I paid special attention to trade union Mladi plus ('Youth Plus'), where I interviewed the representative.
The results showed that student status offers many benefits but if students do not have enough financial resources, student work is necessary besides studying. If or when students find themselves in distress, their families are the first and most reliable source of help. After transitioning from education, it is very difficult for students to afford an apartment because of the current housing problems. When transitioning to the labour market, they first apply to the Employment Service of Slovenia, where they can use special measures from the active labour market policy. Currently, however, the precarious forms of employment prevail in the labour market and they do not offer security which a young person needs for successful independence. Social work is present but because of the general lack of information about the system, it is not too noticeable. Trade union Mladi plus potentially plays an important role in changing the social situation of young people because it could introduce general information within the education system.
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