Purpose – This study investigates the long-term school-to-work trajectories of children of immigrants (CI) in Norway, focusing on the potential benefits of vocational education and training (VET) compared to general education (GEN). The research aims to determine whether VET provides CI with advantageous career prospects, with a special focus on gender differences and poor-performing pupils. Design/methodology/approach – Utilizing detailed annual register data from four Norwegian birth cohorts, this study employs social sequence analysis and linear probability models to examine the association between educational trajectories and variables such as gender, immigrant descent and school grades. The data covers a 15-year period, tracking individuals annually from ages 16 to 30. Findings – Findings reveal that VET offers a secure pathway to employment for native male students but not for male CI. The gap in labour market inclusion for CI is linked to lower apprenticeship enrolment. Explanatory factors such as discrimination and immigrant drive towards higher education are discussed. Originality/value – Empirically, we apply a method rarely used in the literature on CI’s social mobility. Social sequence analysis is unique in that it enables us to understand not only specific outcomes at given time points – but also how the duration and timing of key transitions in young people’s life courses impact long-term outcomes. We contribute to the literature on CI’s incorporation by bridging the link between theories on the VET-system’s inclusiveness with theories of CI’s educational choices. Together, this enhances our understanding of the long-term consequences of CI’s educational transitions within the Norwegian educational system. © 2025 Jannike Gottschalk Ballo, Asgeir Skålholt and Marianne Takvam Kindt
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