Knowing Rights, Using Rights: Upper Secondary School Students in Tirana and the Transition to Work

How well prepared are upper secondary students in Tirana for their first job, and how much do they know about their rights at work? To explore these questions, 300 students in Grades 10–12 from seven gymnasiums in Tirana, selected to cover different parts of the city, completed a 36-item structured questionnaire in September 2026. Responses were analysed across four assessed preparedness domains (career guidance, general knowledge of employment, legal knowledge, and the ability to respond to situations at work) and a fifth domain on information and training needs. Results were low in all four assessed domains: on average across items, 67% of responses on legal knowledge and 64% of responses on workplace situations were at the low level. Correct answers to legal items were keyed to Albanian legislation in force at the time of the survey. Perceived knowledge often exceeded demonstrated knowledge. Sixty per cent of students said they knew about or had heard of the minimum wage, but only 28% identified the correct amount. More than half (55%) would not know what to do if they were dismissed only verbally, and 40% would put up with harassment at work or were unsure how to react. The internet and social media were the main source of information about work (60%), while school played a minor role (18%). By contrast, the fifth domain showed strong demand for further learning: 94% said they would take part in practical training. The findings point to a gap between knowing a right and being able to exercise it. The study recommends introducing basic labour law into Civic Education, linking career guidance more closely with employers, and offering practical training in schools. Received: 01 September 2026 / Accepted: 13 October 2026 / Published: November 2026