The role of skills from worklessness to sustainable employment with progression

Artikel af Mikkel Mailand 

The four international case studies that make up this report are intended as a companion to the main research report The Role of Skills from Worklessness to Sustainable Employment with Progression. The small scale case studies seek to provide contextualised international evidence of four OECD countries: Australia, Denmark, Germany and the United States.

The case studies were restricted to literature published in 2005 or after (although literature published before this date was permissible, if considered important by the author). Also, review or discussion of literature relating to the role of skills in transitions to low-paid employment was restricted to developments, policy or interventions sponsored or initiated by the Public Employment Service (or similar state-controlled labour market institution), and the public, private or third sector (civil society). The role of formal education was beyond the scope of the review.

Each case study begins with a consideration of certain key features relating to unemployment, namely: the current level and duration of unemployment benefits; recent changes to the unemployment benefit system; unemployment benefit replacement ratios; the role of in-work benefits; recent transitions from unemployment.

The case studies then address three structured ‘questions': What are the key trends in and characteristics of low-paid work? What have been the key issues and developments in ‘employability' policy and practice? What are the key issues and developments relating to the nature and scope of progression in work from low-paid jobs?

Bidrag til forskningsrapporten The role of skills from worklessness to sustainable employment with progression - international case studies af Tim Bickerstaffe og David Devins (red.), udgivet af UK Commission for Employment and Skills, september 2011.