This paper analyzes the transition from vocational education to the first job in Spain using a micro-dataset on labor histories. Among the determinants of this transition, we investigate, for the first time, the role of workplace training, a mandatory module in Spain that can be validated with previous job experience. Applying duration techniques, and accounting for unobserved heterogeneity, we find that being female, finishing education older or having high-educated parents reduce the exit rate to employment. We obtain that workplace training is an important factor to reduce unemployment duration.

Key words: unemployment duration, labor market entry, workplace training, duration model.
JEL Classification: J13, J24, I20.