Education, vocational training and the demands of the labor market

The Brazilian economy suffers from a shortage of semi-skilled labor, creating a demand for professional education that is being met in part by the private sector, and more recently by initiatives of the public sector. However, the biggest problem is the possibility that the Brazilian economy is settling down to a pattern of low-skilled labor and low productivity that cannot be solved simply by the demands of the labor market on the education system. This can only be achieved by educational policies that deal decisively with the problems of education quality, which begin at the preschool level and go up to the level of higher and graduate education. In addition to the more general problems of education, Brazil is possibly the only country in the world that does not allow choices in secondary school, and requires from those who seek a vocational education to comply also with the academic curriculum, making it more demanding than for those that follow the traditional paths. This article presents the main data on the educational and work situation of Brazilian youth and an analysis of the current situation of high school and vocational education, and concludes with recommendations on how to reform secondary education and develop a proper system of vocational training.