Factors influencing work trends

SOCIAL circles and networks can give young people looking for employment a strong advantage in the labour market, but they can also reduce ambition.

This is according to professor Anne Green from the University of Warwick in the UK.

Green presented research to delegates from the Human Science Research Council (HSRC) in Pretoria yesterday on the importance of social- spatial influences shaping young people’s employment aspirations.

The research was in reference to three British cities. The evidence presented by Green showed realities of the labour market trends within cities and the ability of youth aged 15-25 to look for opportunities outside of geographical and family comfort zones.

“Social networks give young people strong advantages in the labour market. It also directly influences patterns of recruitment and provides great support.”

However, Green admitted these social networks could also lead to constraints.

“Knowledge and information sources could be incomplete and blinkered. These social networks could also reduce ambition and discourage youth to pursue one’s own interests.”

Green made reference to a young adult from her research. The youngster said “work has to fit in with home and not vice versa”.

“Place and identity are powerfully connected. This may result in some young people not considering opportunities beyond their immediate locality or which differ from those concentrically followed by local people,” said Green.

Green also presented on transportation, which plays a major role in South Africa’s youth employment trends and sometimes forces people to look for work closer to home.

The findings show that an efficient public transportation system plays a major role in the movement of people outside of small communities.

“How far people are prepared to travel to work also added to young people’s employment aspirations. Because of development in transport technology in the UK they can travel further.

It is easy and accessible. The majority of commuting journeys to work are very short. However, where it is further or more expensive to go to work, local community jobs will take preference,” said Green.

She also found that some employers have preferences for workers from local and accessible neighbourhoods.