Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/331698 
Year of Publication: 
2025
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 18134
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
This paper examines the earnings and job satisfaction of Vocational Education and Training (VET) graduates in the European Union (EU) using two definitions of vocational education: a self-reported definition and a more specific definition that incorporates work-based learning. The incidence of third-level VET falls from 74% to 29% under the stricter definition. Across the EU, the returns to vocational and academic qualifications are comparable for upper secondary, post-secondary and tertiary qualifications. Earnings premia vary between countries, with VET generating higher returns in just under one-third of all EU-28 members. Additionally, third level VET graduates enjoy higher levels of job satisfaction.
Subjects: 
vocational education
earnings
job satisfaction
european countries
work-based learning
on-the-job training
JEL: 
I21
I26
J24
J30
J31
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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