School to Work Transition: Why Young People Need Better Pathways Into the Future Workforce
The move from secondary school into further education, training or employment is one of the most important transitions in a young person’s life. It is also becoming more complex. Different departments, funding systems and support mechanisms often sit across state and federal responsibilities, which can make the handover of information and support harder than it should be.
For young people experiencing disadvantage, this transition can shape not only their education outcomes, but also their confidence, career options and long-term participation in the workforce.
The Labour Market Has Changed
Australia’s labour market looks very different from what it did a generation ago. Manufacturing has changed, the knowledge-based economy has grown, service work has become more casualised, and now artificial intelligence is beginning to reshape entry-level roles.
Many of the jobs that once gave young people a first step into employment may not exist in the same way in the future. This makes career education, school completion and supported pathways into TAFE, university and employment more important than ever.
Young people and families need clear, practical information about what the new labour market looks like and what pathways are available to them.
Why Career Education Matters
Good career education is not just about telling students what jobs exist. It is about helping them understand their strengths, interests, options and the realities of a changing workforce.
Some schools and communities need more targeted support than others. Career education needs to reach the young people who are most at risk of missing out, especially those who may not have access to strong networks, family guidance or clear information about further education and employment.
When done well, career education can help young people make better choices, choose the right course, and build confidence about their future.
School Completion Is Critical
School completion rates have dropped over recent years, and while COVID had an impact, the decline had already started before the pandemic. This matters because many jobs in the new economy require further qualifications through TAFE or university.
Completing school gives young people more options. It helps them move into tertiary education, apprenticeships, training, work placements and long-term career pathways. Without that foundation, the risk of disengagement becomes much higher.
For young people facing disadvantage, the challenge is not only getting through school. It is also having the right support after school so they can start, stay in and complete further education or training.
TAFE, University and the New Economy
There is a growing need to help young people understand what TAFE and university are like before they arrive. Choosing the wrong course, feeling unsupported, or not understanding the system can lead to students dropping out.
This is especially important when completion rates in tertiary education remain a concern. Getting into a course is only one part of the journey. Young people also need support to complete that course and move into meaningful employment.
If eight to nine out of ten jobs in the new economy require tertiary qualifications, then we need to take school completion, course selection and tertiary support seriously.
Supporting Young People Through the Whole Journey
The transition from school to work should not be treated as a single moment. It is a journey that starts before a student leaves school and continues through further education, training and early employment.
Young people need practical support to understand career options, navigate systems, build confidence, access the right course, and stay engaged when things become difficult.
For those working across education, employment, disability, aged care, childcare, youth support and community services, the challenge is clear. We need stronger handovers, better information sharing, and more joined-up support.
Why This Matters for the Care Sectors
The care sectors need a strong future workforce. Aged care, disability support, childcare, health, education and community services all depend on people who are skilled, supported and ready to work in human-centred roles.
As the labour market changes, the care economy can offer meaningful careers for young people. But we need to create clearer pathways into those roles and make sure young people understand the value, purpose and opportunity within care work.
This is not only about workforce planning. It is about giving young people a real chance to build a future while strengthening the services that communities rely on.
Final Thought
The future of work is changing quickly, but young people should not be left to navigate it alone. Better career education, stronger school completion, clearer TAFE and university pathways, and more support through transition can help young people move into the new economy with confidence.
These are the kinds of conversations we need to keep having across education, employment and the care sectors.
Join us at the National Care Sectors Conference: NDIS, Aged Care & Childcare on 28 August 2026 for a moving and inspiring conversation about the future of care, workforce, policy and support across Australia.