Labor Market Conditions Research Articles

Development of professional foreign language competence within transport industry requirements

The labour market under current conditions is dynamic and non-homogeneous – it witnesses differentiation in terms of various phenomena and criteria, according to structural changes in the socio-economic environment of society. When considering the labour market requirements for foreign language proficiency, of crucial importance is to take into account the ultimate employers’ needs in the transport industry, the main one being maximum adaptability of graduates-specialists to practical activities in the relevant real sector of the economy. Industry-related educational institutions offer the integrated multi-level system of staff training, retraining and refresher courses conducted under the state regulation in order to meet the state needs. Therefore, to respond to the new challenges, which the transport industry is facing, the educational process continuity requires expansion of professional competencies into supplementary fields of knowledge, taking into account the international labour market condition. Among these, a high level of foreign language proficiency should be noted, which is a significant competitive advantage for a transport university graduate. The authors of the research formulated the industry-related requirements for the level of foreign language proficiency, determined the relevance of improving the quality of foreign language training of students at a transport university, and proposed the methodology guidelines for the use of mnemonics in the process of forming the professional foreign language competence of future economists.

'Mom, Dad: I'm Staying' Young Adults, Initial Labor Market Conditions and Housing Markets

'Mom, Dad: I'm Staying' Young Adults, Initial Labor Market Conditions and Housing Markets

Examination of High School Students' Aspirations and the Related Contextual Variables

As part of the studies conducted to investigate the career development of high school students. In this study, the researchers are interested in investigating the field of study aspired by students' higher school and associated contextual factors. Finding may be useful to design programs appropriate to help students in their vocational development. Participants were randomly selected from students' high school following their study in Azilal city Morocco. 75 students responded to the questionnaire, our sample consists of 24 men and 51 females with an average age of 17.91±1.09. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tests by SPSS 26.00 software. The results show the post-secondary education courses preferred by students and a significant rate of undecided. Results show that educational aspirations are formed based on students' interests and academic performance, and regional and international labor market conditions are also considered. The finding provides sociological information on the context of the shaping of educational aspirations in higher school. Keywords: higher school, contextual factors, educational aspiration, field of study. https://doi.org/10.55463/issn.1674-2974.50.4.22

Office Parties: Partisan Sorting in the United States Labor Market

Office Parties: Partisan Sorting in the United States Labor Market

LABOUR MARKET AND ECONOMIC CRIMES: AN INVESTIGATION FROM FIFTY U.S STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Crime is a serious and complex problem that affects both the social and economic development of a country. An investigation studying not only the determinants of crime but also the relationship between crime and economic phenomena such as employment, income, and immigration, is necessary. The purpose of this empirical report is to investigate the relationship between labor market conditions and economic crimes in the fifty U.S. states and the District of Columbia by building upon the economic model of rational behavior. A very intuitive hypothesis is that an agent is more likely to engage in criminal activity if there is a low level of deterrence (e.g. minimal police enforcement, absence of death penalty, etc.) and unfavorable economic conditions (e.g. high unemployment rate, low educational attainment, low GDP per capita). There are also various socioeconomic variables such as age distribution, church attendance, immigration, urbanization, and racial mix that reflect an individual’s tastes and thus influence behavior.

Assessment of the Labour Market During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted governments to take radical measures to contain the virus and protect their citizens. These included successive restrictions on social distance, which have led to closing many enterprises in various industries and dismissing their employees. Introducing restrictions has significantly weakened many countries’ economies. Stock markets have noted sharp declines. Therefore, public protection has led to severe consequences for the labour market. Attempts at defining them have been undertaken in the body of literature. However, they focus mainly on analysing selected indicators. According to the authors, it is worth analysing the correlation between the number of deaths as the variable that best reflects the disease’s severity and selected unemployment rates. It was assumed that the number of deaths is a factor significantly distinguishing the periods before and after the pandemic. Therefore, it is possible to assess the correlation between the pandemic and the labour market condition.

Labour market effects and changes among enterprises in free enterprise zones in Hungary

The aim of regional development and planning, as defined in the 1996 Spatial Development Law, is to promote social and economic growth and reduce significant economic and infrastructure disparities. Its role is to support community initiatives to this end, with a particular emphasis on promoting the catching up of lagging regions, reducing unemployment and supporting the regeneration of industrial and agricultural businesses. This legislation enabled the creation of the Free Enterprise Zones in Hungary in 2013. The list, which has been extended twice since then, currently includes 1202 municipalities. Municipalities belonging to the zones create a favourable environment for investment, and businesses that invest and create jobs in the area can benefit from corporate tax relief and contributions payable by employers and are eligible for EU funding. According to the hypothesis of our research, the number of jobseekers in the municipalities of FEZs (compared to other municipalities) has decreased significantly, while the number of enterprises has increased. Furthermore, counties with a higher proportion of FEZ municipalities were presumed to have received more EU funds. To demonstrate this, we examined the labour market processes within FEZs due to the effects of their inclusion in the zones. Drawing on official labour market and business-related regional statistics, the analysis takes a regional perspective and seeks to focus on temporality. The database contains data at the level of municipalities (registered jobseekers, public employees, active enterprises, number of employees, subsidies) for the period under study (2012-2020). In addition to labour market processes, a further focus of the analysis was the inclusion of the SME sector to uncover mutually positive effects. According to the findings of our research, the positive impact on labour market processes cannot be clearly justified, whereas for the enterprises, inclusion in the zone induced positive effects. A positive effect was also found in terms of average staff numbers. The results show that the use of development aid is more effective for enterprises operating within the zones than in other parts of Hungary.

About the competence-based approach in modernization of the masters programme "computer engineering"

The article deals with the issues related to the modernization of the educational programme "Computer Engineering" for the IT-profile graduates using competence-based approach. The problems of specialists training, ways of modernizing the educational programme are considered. Particular attention is paid to the competence-based approach and the specifics of teaching at Masters level according to the new curriculum. The transformational experience of the higher education system of the Republic of Belarus is analysed from the point of view of its adaptation to the European Higher Education Area standards and traditions as well as from the point of view improving its efficiency in the conditions of dynamic labour market. Special emphasis has been made on IT-specialist social competences development as a condition for both professional self-realisation and more successful professional socialisation of future specialists.

He problem of youth unemployment in Ukraine

Unemployment refers to acute macroeconomic problems. Since unemployment is not a new problem, but in wartime among young people, it acquires a special importance among socio-economic relations, and therefore acquires special relevance in our time. In today's conditions, the youth of our country who have graduated from educational institutions are increasingly faced with unemployment and feel redundant in the labor market. Insufficient number of vacant jobs, lack of work in a specialty, high competitiveness on the labor market, lack of state guarantees regarding employment, unsatisfactory working conditions offered to young people by employers, graduation from an educational institution does not provide any guarantees of employment in a specialty, all this leads to the uncertainty of youth in its future and requires immediate solutions.
 Young people in Ukraine make up the majority of the working population, have more education, creativity, the ability to learn new things, master new professions and are the engine of the country's socio-economic development. Therefore, the state faces the task of regulating the youth segment of the labor market, ensuring employment guarantees, helping small and medium-sized businesses, improving internship conditions for students of professional and higher educational institutions, motivating and preparing young specialists for modern labor market conditions.
 The article analyzes the essence of such a phenomenon as unemployment. The main factors of the occurrence of this phenomenon are determined, the importance of youth in the socio-economic development of the country is characterized. Statistical data from the State Employment Service are presented, the state of unemployment in Ukraine and its consequences are analyzed. Proposals are made to solve the problem of unemployment in the labor market among young people and increase the level of employment in the state.

Ensuring the quality of fundamental chemical training in the context of implementing innovative engineering education: realities and perspectives

The article deals with the examines the formation of a competent understanding of natural science education, which initiates a scientific worldview, a holistic system of scientific knowledge and is the basis for the development and self-affirmation of an individual capable of successful self-realization in the dynamic conditions of the modern labor market. The advantages and disadvantages of the modern system of education of future engineers are identified, motivational factors for improving the quality of education are proposed, and basic approaches to the formation and development of the required set of professional competencies of graduates are defined. The relevance of the implementation of educational and scientific video consultations as an element of helping students in improving the quality of their knowledge in the conditions of distance education is analyzed.

Breaking down the STEM pathway: Utilizing neighborhood resources to improve Mexican‐origin adolescents' life chances

AbstractThis paper aims to identify neighborhood institutional resources (e.g., nonprofit organizations, libraries, and labor market conditions) that promote Mexican‐origin high school students' progress in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) pathway into postsecondary education. A nationally representative, longitudinal sample of 1340 Mexican‐origin students from the Educational Longitudinal Study of 2002 was used to investigate students' postsecondary education STEM outcomes. Neighborhood institutional resources, assessed during the high school years, were appended from multiple administrative data sources at the zip code level. Multilevel models utilizing the Heckman correction model, to correct for selection bias in postsecondary education pursuits, revealed that neighborhood resources during high school, specifically more minority‐ and immigrant‐serving organizations and a more STEM‐focused local labor market, support Mexican‐origin students' postsecondary STEM degree attainment, after controlling for risks and resources in the family and school contexts. We conclude by calling attention to how neighborhood institutional resources may facilitate Mexican‐origin students' STEM achievement and fulfill the labor market demands within high‐growth sectors of the economy.

Labour Market Dynamics in Pakistan: Evidence from the Longitudinal Data

The bulk of research on labour market conditions in Pakistan has concentrated on the economic activity rate, the number of employed persons, or the unemployment rate at a particular point in time. These stock measures of labour market situation are useful from a policy viewpoint as they give a broad indication of the dimension of the problem. For example, the recent labour force surveys show an increase in the level of open unemployment from 5.9 percent in 1997-98 to 7.8 percent in 1999-2000 [Pakistan (2001)]. There is also an emerging consensus that during the 1990s poverty has increased at the national as well as for rural and urban areas of the country [Qureshi and Arif (2001)]. Labour market is considered as the main route for establishing the link between macro policies, the resulting GDP growth and poverty alleviation [Rahman (2002)]. Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (IPRSP) and other development plans have suggested various targets of employment creation for poverty reduction.

Transformation of the Regional Labor Market under the Influence of Sanctions

The adoption of unprecedented sanctions against the domestic economy affects the labor market. The article presents preliminary results of assessments of the introduced unprecedented sanctions against Russia, and an analysis of the transformation of the regional labor market. The role of the imposed restrictions is determined and their cumulative effect on the change of the socio-economic situation in the region is established. The study found that the impact of sanctions creates social risks, but also a gradual destabilization of the situation in the regional labor market. The study revealed the delayed consequences and prerequisites of possible socio-economic shocks leading to changes in the functioning of the regional labor market. The grouping of destabilizing risks affecting the change in the situation on the labor market is justified. It is established that despite the period of high turbulence and uncertainty, the functioning of the regional labor market has a high adaptive potential. The assessment of changes in the components of the regional labor market did not show negative trends. Along with this, the risks of destabilization have been identified, which form the delayed negative consequences of economic sanctions against Russia imposed at the beginning of 2022. The characteristic of the effect of sanctions on the unemployment rate is given. The parameters were determined and a set of socio-economic indicators of the state of the regional labor market at the initial stage of the sanctions policy was identified.

The Impact of Higher Mortgage Rates on the Housing and Mortgage Markets

With the Federal Reserve tightening monetary policy, mortgage rates are up considerably. Although higher rates challenge affordability nationwide, they are also associated with periods of strong economic growth, low unemployment, and higher inflation. These latter effects have historically outweighed the affordability effect, and home prices have generally risen, albeit at a slower rate, during periods of increasing interest rates. Although affordability is even more challenged now than it was just prior to the Global Financial Crisis, the housing supply shortage and solid labor market conditions provide a cushion for home price appreciation. Higher rates will reshape the housing and mortgage markets, however: Rate/term refinances are largely choked off, cash-out refinances are likely to continue at much lower levels, and purchase activity will be lower, as there will be fewer buyers and sellers. Higher rates will also lead to the expansion of the second-lien market.

The labour market in the restaurant sector: 2022

Introduction. The emigration of more than 5.5 million citizens of working age and the inter­nal displacement of more than 7.7 million Ukrai­nians after the start of the full-scale war with Russia caused changes in the HoReCa labor market. Problem. The portrait of an employee in the HoReCa sector in Ukraine and abroad has chan­ged significantly. Therefore, the study of the state of the labor market in the field of restaurant industry in wartime conditions is relevant. The aim of the work is to carry out a compre­hensive analysis of the Ukrainian labor market state in the field of restaurant business in war conditions, to determine the main trends and pro­spects for further development. Methods. General scientific methods of ana­lysis and synthesis, comparison, isolation, gene­ralization and resulting systematization of the researched material are applied. Results. As a result of the war there was a decrease in the market potential of the restaurant business. Consequently, the labor market changed its orientation from the employee to the employer. Candidates are forced to give in to salary interests and adapt to new realities of work. The number of line workers is reduced as much as possible, resulting in an increase in the number of responsibilities of the rest of the staff. The Ukrainian restaurant business market suffers from a lack of qualified personnel, some of whom are mobilized, belong to IDPs or refugees. The labor market potential of the restaurant business abroad is analyzed. As a result, a port­rait of a potential employee in the wartime res­taurant business is described. Conclusions. There will be a significant per­sonnel update, we will have to reckon with changes in the portrait of a potential employee, and these circumstances will have a negative impact on business in general. While the Ukrai­nian restaurant market is undergoing structural changes, nothing will fundamentally change abroad.

SPEAKING COMPETENCE AS A NECESSARY COMPONENT OF COMPETITIVE TRAINING SPECIALISTS IN UNIVERSITIES OF UKRAINE

Modernization of educational activities in Ukraine in the context of European standards – is primarily raising training quality and competitive professionals, compliance with European labor market conditions for the free movement of students in Ukraine and Europe. Creating the conditions for competitive advantage in the world is the main condition for economic and social stability in Ukraine. Expected changes are possible only if the level of labor productivity, which in turn depends on the presence in the domestic labor market modern highly qualified specialists. Thus, any transformations in economy is impossible without reforming and modernizing training competitive specialists. Upgrading of educational activities in Ukraine in the context of European standards – is, first of all, raising competitiveness and quality of training of specialists, matching the European labor market, creating conditions for free movement of students in Ukraine and Europe. Creating conditions for competitive advantage in the world is the main condition for economic and social stability in Ukraine. Expected changes are possible only if the increase in labor productivity, which in turn depends on the presence in the domestic labor market today highly qualified specialists. Consequently, any transformations in the economy are impossible without reform and modernization of training competitive professionals.

Debt and Mental Well-being Among Older Adults: Does Employment Status Matter? – Combining Population Inference and Target Trial Frameworks

AbstractWhile debts are widely used financial tools, few longitudinal studies investigating potential causal links between debts and mental wellbeing exist among older adults. Older adults, particularly those not employed, are less likely to have increasing incomes to help them pay off their debts. This study investigates whether older adults with non-mortgage debts in three different labour market states have lower mental wellbeing and, separately, whether it is likely that reducing their debts helps to improve mental wellbeing. Using the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, the study focuses on the English context, which is particularly interesting due to the high levels of, and a unique policy approach to, private indebtedness.The results indicate that people with debts have lower mental wellbeing (more depressive symptoms and lower quality of life) in all categories, but the mental pain linked to debts is stronger for people who are jobless (not working, not retired). The analysis from a causal perspective suggests that getting rid of debts may reduce depressive symptoms among people who are jobless but may also improve quality of life among the retired and employed. Both these findings suggest that mental health services should work closely with debt advice when needed.

Determinants of school to work transition and COVID-19

PurposeThis is Part 1 of the two special issues on the topic, “School to work transition around the world – the effect of the pandemic recession.” The first part focuses on the determinants of the school-to-work transition (STWT) and the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the young worker and their response to uncertain labor market conditions. The second issue will explore the country-specific experiences around the globe in tackling the problem of a smooth STWT. The purpose of this introductory article is to elaborate on the transition of young workers in the labor market. Discussion on the status of various indicators of the youth labor market (unemployment, underemployment and not in employment, education and training [NEET]) is also integrated. The determining factors of school-to-work transition (STWT) and the role of technical and vocational institutions and universities are analyzed. Moreover, the impact of COVID-19 on the labor market is also evaluated. After the pandemic, there was a dreadful change in the job market; this study dives into those diverse factors and carves out the multiple impacts on youth unemployment.Design/methodology/approachThe study analyses relevant literature on STWT, NEET and COVID-19 implications for the labor market, based on the other papers in this special issue. Using the review method, the authors identified similar research articles and reports which helped in strengthening the study’s argument. The primary focus of the study was on the smooth transition of young workers in the labor market and the impact of the pandemic on youth unemployment. Hence, literature supported the authors in giving the justifications from various economies and societies.FindingsThe paper finds that youth worldwide have suffered from the repercussions of COVID-19, especially in their early career (STWT). Skill mismatch, underemployment, job losses, salary cut downs, health issues, vocational education importance, vulnerable employment, etc. were some of the significant impacts the authors identified by analyzing the various reports and papers. Furthermore, this paper also discusses the role of active labor market policies and hiring incentives for promoting youth employment.Social implicationsThe paper finds that the times ahead are challenging ones. There is a dearth of productive job opportunities due to slow economic growth. The unemployment rate among youth and adults is high, and labor markets have become more competitive. The young generation is now left with no choice but to upgrade and improve their skill set or some other expertise. On the one hand, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and universities need to enhance their marketable knowledge and skills, and on the other hand, there is a need for active labor market policies to encourage their participation in the labor markets.Originality/valueThis paper strongly contributes to highlighting the professional and societal hit backs faced due to the aftermath of COVID-19. The study summarizes the specific details of STWT and employment issues faced by youth in various parts of the world.

Development of new towns in Poland. A case study of local labor markets.

The article attempts to assess the effect that obtaining urban status has on changes in the local labor markets of new towns. The analysis concerned those towns that were granted urban status for the first time between 1990 (the beginning of the transition to a market economy) and 2020. The analysis and research results did not show any significant correlation between the obtaining of urban status and improving labor market conditions. Despite the increase in entrepreneurship and the greater mobility of incoming employees, the localities did not become more attractive locations for medium-sized and large enterprises. Work-related population flows did not undergo major transformations and the range of influence of local labor markets was still mainly limited to the new towns’ own gminas, which together with the directly neighboring gminas formed functional urban areas that nonetheless rarely exceeded the boundaries of the poviat.

Employer attitudes towards hiring university-educated refugees: evidence from Rwanda

ABSTRACT This paper examines the labour market conditions of refugees in Rwanda using a process evaluation and a survey with 244 employers. The process evaluation covers a tertiary education program, which offers a path to bachelor’s degree from a US University using a blended approach to instruction. Students highlighted the importance of the internship and employment components of this programme. Survey vignettes indicated that employers reported a 6% lower likelihood of hiring relatively well-educated refugees than to hire Rwandans with otherwise identical characteristics. This finding was driven by the 50% of the employers who found it more complex to hire refugees.