Maguire, Sue M. (Susan Mary) (2000) The evolving youth labour market : a study of continuity and change. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

Preview

PDF WRAP_THESIS_Maguire_2000.pdf - Requires a PDF viewer. Download (16Mb)

Request Changes to record.

Abstract

The focus of this thesis is the level of demand for youth labour. By re-applying the aims
and methodology of a study carried out in the late 1970s and early 1980s and comparing
the findings, changes to the structure and functioning of the youth labour market can be
identified. These changes are then assessed in the context of evolving education and
training policies and, in particular, against the background of significant increases which
have occurred in young people's rates of participation in post-compulsory education.
The findings are based on a survey of sixty companies from a range of industrial
sectors and size bands in two contrasting local labour markets: Leicester and
Sunderland. The overwhelming majority of interviews were conducted face-to-face,
using a structured interviewing approach. In addition, representatives of local TECs,
Careers Services and Training Providers were interviewed.
The findings point to the fact that, although there has been a reduction in the number of job
opportunities, there still exists a demand for youth labour which may, in some areas,
exceed the supply of young people choosing to enter the labour market at the age of
sixteen. Importantly, many employers in the sample had little understanding of new
vocational qualifications, namely GNVQs, and tended to rely on Year 11 attainment levels
and non-academic criteria in the selection process.
Finally, the thesis explores the dissonance which, it is argued, has been created by
education and training policies which have generated competition for young people from
employers and education and training providers, and suggests that such policies may be
failing to achieve the twin aims of enhancing the qualification attainments of young people
and addressing the future skill needs of the country. It also highlights the need for further
research to determine employers' requirements for youth labour.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Youth -- Employment -- Great Britain, Labor demand -- England -- Leicester, Labor demand -- England -- Sunderland, Labor supply -- Effect of education on -- Great Britain
Official Date:	December 2000
Dates:	Date Event December 2000 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Warwick Business School
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Keep, Ewart
Extent:	[xii], 245, [30] leaves
Language:	eng

Request changes or add full text files to a record

Repository staff actions (login required)

View Item

Downloads