Abstract
This paper provides a comprehensive evaluation of student work in Slovenia, a unique sui generis form of flexible employment that facilitates the transition from formal education to the labor market. The study employs a multidisciplinary approach, combining a detailed analysis of the fragmented legal framework with empirical findings from a 2025 national survey of 7,523 students. Legally, the research highlights a significant shift from a deregulated system to one integrated into social insurance, featuring a statutory minimum gross hourly rate of 8.98 euros. Despite these protections, the authors argue that the absence of a unified "Act on Student Work" and clear temporal definitions of "occasional work" maintains a state of normative ambiguity that risks disguised employment relationships. From a human resource perspective, the empirical data underscores student work as a critical hybrid learning environment. The findings reveal that primary motivations for student engagement include financial necessity—with 37% of respondents stating they would struggle to afford education without it—and the acquisition of work experience. Thematic analysis identifies significant development in transversal competencies, notably communication, teamwork, and personal autonomy, which align with global labour market demands for resilience and agility. Ultimately, the paper advocates for a centralized legislative instrument to secure legal clarity and optimize the role of student work as a laboratory for sustainable skill formation.