Qualification + temporary agency work = Pathway to Employment? : the (re-)integration of disadvantaged young people into the labour market

Abstract

This volume documents the implementation and effects of a model project whose aim was to integrate young people with barriers to placement into the labour market by means of a combination of temporary agency work, qualification phases, and individual coaching. The project was implemented at several SGB-II-ARGEn (joint agencies of the job centres and local authorities) in cooperation with a large agency for temporary work. As an introduction, location analyses give an overview of the situation and development of the local labour markets in the regions examined. The subsequent implementation studies describe the interaction between the elements "temporary work", "qualifications"; and "coaching" in practice. Moreover, consideration is given to how this kind of public-private partnership functions. In addition the authors study the influence that this measure had on the motivation and competences of the young people participating. A typology is developed reflecting the way young people from different social backgrounds deal with the demands of the measure and the opportunities it offers. Finally, the effect of the project is analysed with regard to transitions into the labour market in general as well as at individual locations. The bottom line presents a picture in which implementation was very strongly influenced by the differing and partially conflicting interests of the cooperation partners. This meant that the actual target group was only partially reached, that the qualification modules did not function as planned, and that the coaching was partially problematical. Nonetheless the measure did have some successes, specifically when it was attended for its entire length and there was a relatively high degree of continuity, both in the work assignments and in the qualification modules. On the other hand, high fluctuation rates and a short duration of participation did not lead to the desired results.

Cite article

Brinkmann, U., Ehlert, C., Eversberg, D., Kluve, J., Kupka, P., Schaffner, S. & Scherschel, K. (2011): Qualifikation + Leiharbeit = Klebeeffekt? Die (Wieder-)Eingliederung benachteiligter Jugendlicher in den Arbeitsmarkt. (IAB-Bibliothek 328), Bielefeld: Bertelsmann, 207 p. DOI:10.3278/300743w