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Journal article
Navigating employability from the bottom up
Journal of Youth Studies, Vol.23(4), pp.447-464
2020
Abstract
Research focusing on young people's career trajectories has emphasised 'graduate employability' with much less attention being afforded to the employability strategies used by disadvantaged youth, including the social, political and labour market contexts in which these emerge. This study explores how young people enrolled in entry-level, vocational training courses in Australia attempt to enhance their employability. Interviews explored perceptions of individual employability, the strategies utilised to improve employability, and the economic, personal and employment consequences of these strategies. Three main employability strategies were identified: gaining qualifications to meet employment expectations; securing work experience in a competitive labour market; and addressing economic and social challenges to secure and sustain employment. The study reveals how the dominant narratives of employability in education and employment policy are misaligned with the economic, social and labour market challenges faced by disadvantaged job-seekers with respect to notions of career and 'fit' between the individual and the labour market. Policy responses need to take account of the diverse 'bottom up' experiences and circumstances of different cohorts of young people.
Details
- Title
- Navigating employability from the bottom up
- Authors
- Paula McDonald (Corresponding Author) - Queensland University of TechnologyDeanna Grant-Smith - Queensland University of TechnologyKatherine Moore - Queensland University of TechnologyGreg Marston - The University of Queensland
- Publication details
- Journal of Youth Studies, Vol.23(4), pp.447-464
- Publisher
- Routledge
- Date published
- 2020
- DOI
- 10.1080/13676261.2019.1620925
- ISSN
- 1469-9680; 1367-6261
- Organisation Unit
- School of Business and Creative Industries
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991016469202621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary
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