Career-first: an approach to sustainable labour market integration

Vanesa Fuertes,Peter J Robertson,Ronald Mcquaid

doi:10.1007/s10775-020-09451-2

Abstract

Active labour market policies aim at supporting people entering and, importantly, remaining in the labour market. Initiatives to this end have often been characterised by a mixture of ‘human capital’ and ‘work-first’ approaches, although both have had a relatively limited effect on achieving job sustainability for those most distant from the labour market. This paper explores a distinctive approach to supporting job entry and sustainable employment that we have called ‘career-first’. The career-first approach to labour activation draws on three separate traditions of thinking: labour market, career development, and the capability literatures. Common ground is found in these three perspectives so each complements the weaknesses of the others. A career-first approach may be able to help deliver benefits to the individual, their family, and the wider society.

Highlights

Labour market policy scholars point to a relatively recent change in the welfare state paradigm towards what has been labelled activation (Cantillon, 2011), which continues the trend seen in previous unemployment schemes of conditionality and behavioural expectations of those unemployed (Sinfield, 2001)
We present the career-first concept as underpinned by three literatures that have been largely disconnected: the labour market, career development, and capability literatures
A career first approach to labour activation can be seen to draw on three separate traditions of thinking—labour market studies, career development, and the capability approach

Summary

Introduction

Labour market policy scholars point to a relatively recent change in the welfare state paradigm towards what has been labelled activation (Cantillon, 2011), which continues the trend seen in previous unemployment schemes of conditionality and behavioural expectations of those unemployed (Sinfield, 2001). Activation policies place the responsibility of unemployment primarily on the characteristics, skills, and behaviour of the unemployed person; while the broader labour market literature stresses the key influence of external and structural factors on unemployment, including employers’ attitudes and employment conditions. The career-first approach embraces the broad employability framework from the labour policy literature, together with the incipient understanding of the role of social institutions in career development, and the mediating factors (necessary to achieve capabilities) in the capability approach This institutional and structural perspective is complemented by the role of skills and education on career opportunities and the experiences and impact of various services on individuals. Low levels of welfare benefits or sanctions would undermine the freedom to choose

Conclusions

Compliance with ethical standards