Pinball transitions: exploring the school-to-work transitions of ‘the missing middle’

This paper responds to the call for more research on ‘missing middle’ by reporting findings of a small-scale qualitative longitudinal study in North England exploring labour market transitions young people completing compulsory schooling with mid-level qualifications and seeking employment. It found that participants desired training which aligned their skills, interests future work intentions. Participants were drawn seek apprenticeships because they offered ‘earning learning’ real-life environment. However, vast majority, not available, so turned college articulate choices gain work-related training. Qualifications gained order leverage job help them achieve ‘getting on’ work. often period ‘pinballing’ between ambitions reality ensued due lack desirable quality available. The majority still resisting ‘going nowhere’ making efforts when interviewed, however, some had stopped effort resigned themselves on-going poor process biographicity was, them, reconciliation low-quality