Around 1 million young people in France are NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training), representing about 13% of 16–25-year-olds and 28% of those who have left school. They are generally less educated and more likely to live with their parents. Evidence suggests that NEETs in contact with public employment services are more likely to be employed than those who are not.
Missions Locales, a key part of the French public employment service, support vulnerable youth through a national network of agencies and employment counsellors, known as caseworkers. They provide career guidance as well as broader social support (health, housing, administration). Satisfaction is high: 93% of young people report being satisfied with their advisor, and over two-thirds gain confidence.
This raises the question of how much caseworkers influence career outcomes. While research has extensively examined labor market policies, little is known about the specific role of caseworkers. Existing studies sugge
