The review aims to bridge the gap between learning and jobs, by exploring how to make initial vocational education and training for young people respond better to labour market requirements. It therefore looks at initial VET in schools, colleges, workplaces and other institutions, offering policy messages for all OECD countries, alongside concrete advice on policy reform in reviewed countries. A programme of analytical work drew on evidence from all OECD countries, including a questionnaire on VET systems, literature reviews of previous OECD studies and the academic literature on topics such as costs and benefits, career guidance and VET during the economic crisis. The results of both the analytical work and the country reviews fed into this comparative report, of which an initial version was published on the OECD website in October 2009. The website offers the final comparative report and 17 country reports.