Work Experience Placements in Lower Secondary Education in Nordic Countries

The purpose of this article is to describe and analyse work experience placements in lower secondary education in Nordic countries. The article focuses on how and to what extent work experience placements in career education is formalised across the Nordic countries. It identifies similarities and differences among the countries and will provide a comparison of the key characteristics relating to work experience placement in lower secondary education in Nordic countries. The analysis is based on policy documents, curriculum and research concerning work experience placements in lower secondary schools in the respective countries. The comparison reveals that while there are some similarities there are also significant differences among the countries regarding the national guidelines, curriculum and general aim of the work experience placement in lower secondary education. The results show that further studies are needed to acquire more knowledge relating to work experience placements in Nordic countries.