SOLVED. YA Sci-Fi from 1990s. Group of students on Earth split into different education programs to learn various skill sets, without knowing the purpose of their training. Spoilers ahead. [s]

[Jeff]

The story is set in the near or somewhat near future and centers on a group of students who get split up into different educational programs where they learn various skillsets without context for the purpose of their training. The novel ends with them suddenly transported to an alternate reality or planet where they discover they must now use what they've learned to survive but the majority of the plot actually takes place earlier on earth during their training. As I recall they do not have the option to return to Earth.

[Kris]

Jeff mentioned this book has a similar theme to Tunnel in the Sky by Robert A. Heinlein.

[Kris]

Can you describe some of the skills they learned and the learning environments?

How were these students chosen? How many students?

I added some details and a broader description to the header/ topic title. Feel free to edit it. (Many people won't be familiar with one specific book title.)

[Jeff]

The skills were wide-ranging and went far beyond basic survival. They learned everything that would be needed to rebuild civilization as I recall.

The story focused on a handful of the students but there were many (hundreds) in a school-like environment. I believe they were chosen to attend based on a test that was given to a wider population.

[Jeff]

The world they are taken to is uninhabited but earth-like. The students are able to bring little to nothing with them as far as supplies.

[M]

This makes me think of Monica Hughes, Invitation to the game. The students are good in different fields, but there are no jobs for them to do. They have to live as unemployed people, then are invited to an immersive game, set on another planet.

[Jeff]

M your are brilliant! I’m almost certain that’s the book I’m thinking of after reading the Wikipedia plot summary. I can’t thank you enough.

[SamSpayedPI]

Invitation to the Game for the link.

[David]

Definitely going to read this one.

[Jeff]

Marking as solved. This is definitely the book I was trying to remember! I've been puzzling over this for years. Thanks again, Miyu!

[M]

That's fine. Oddly enough I came to read this because it came up several times on sites like this! I thought it must have something going for it for it to be remembered and searched for.
M

[Kris]

M wrote: "That's fine. Oddly enough I came to read this because it came up several times on sites like this! I thought it must have something going for it for it to be remembered and searched for.
M"

Interesting comment, M. That's why I read the children's novel The House of Power. It was requested five times in this group and I got curious.