Sustaining transitions from welfare to work: the perceptions of employers and employment service providers. Issue 3 (September 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cortis, Natasha; Bullen, Jane; Hamilton, Myra
• Is Part Of: Australian journal of social issues. Volume 48:Issue 3(2013)
• Page Start: 363
• Page End: 384
• Publication Date: 2013-09
• Subjects: employment services -- welfare to work -- jobseekers -- employment policy -- job retention; Australia -- Social policy -- Periodicals; Social service -- Australia -- Periodicals; Australia -- Social conditions -- Periodicals; Social conditions; Social service; Social policy; Australia; Periodicals; 362.99405
• DOI: 10.1002/j.1839-4655.2013.tb00287.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0157-6321

Abstract

Abstract : Successive Australian Governments have sought to improve the capacity of the employment service system to build jobseekers' skills and capabilities and to promote transitions from income support to paid work. Yet despite these efforts, many jobseekers experience only short periods of employment, moving repeatedly between joblessness and positions with low skill requirements, low pay and few or fluctuating hours. This article explores ways to achieve more sustained transitions from welfare to work for disadvantaged jobseekers. We draw on data from a qualitative study of employment service providers who assisted jobseekers into work and the managers in the organisations that employed them. These informants' perspectives underline the importance of improving the quality of jobs that require low levels of skills and experience and demonstrate some ways employers and employment services can better work together and provide more enduring and effective forms of support.