Abstract
The paper concerns the transition period from school to work in Czech Republic and its changes in last 30 years. For the purpose of analyzing the transition process the data from the Czech school-leaver survey called "School to work transition of graduates and skill requirements" was used.
The data was collected between October 2007 and January 2008. The emphasis of the survey was partially on the transition from education to work.
Overall, the results showed both persistence and change in the relationship between the education system, educational degrees, and labor market entry processes. Among the persistent features of the Czech education system, at least for most of the period observed, is the small and elitist tertiary sector, whose selectivity and prestige grants smooth labor market entry and privileged occupational status to its graduates, under socialism as well as capitalism.
Furthermore, the strong vocational-technical orientation of the upper secondary sector has persisted. Upper secondary technical education in particular provides access to university as well as facilitates relatively smooth labor market entry and relatively high occupational status, compared to other secondary graduates.
Nevertheless, graduates of vocational schools, particularly those not obtaining matriculation, have had an increasingly difficult passage from the vocational training system into working life, as well as increasing adverse selection due to declining enrolment.