Utilising Skills Demands Opportunities to Overcome the Low Professional Status and Attractiveness of a Sector: The Early Learning and Care Sector in Scotland

Citation

Webb A & McQuaid R (2018) Utilising Skills Demands Opportunities to Overcome the Low Professional Status and Attractiveness of a Sector: The Early Learning and Care Sector in Scotland. In: Larsen C, Rand S, Schmid A & Dean A (eds.) Developing Skills in a Changing World of Work: Concepts, Measurement and Data Applied in Regional and Local Labour Market Monitoring Across Europe. Munich: Rainer Hampp Verlag, pp. 241-258. http://www.hampp-verlag.de/

Abstract
This paper considers how a sector, which is perceived to have low attractiveness for potential employees, in terms of status, pay and conditions, can seek to attract a more diverse workforce through policies such as promoting skills development among existing employees and new recruits. It illustrates how strategic debates about skills demands and interventions focused on reducing skills and competencies shortages can be linked with a thorough analysis of the barriers that prevent people from engaging with the sector and considering it as a viable long-term career option. The insights presented in this paper are based on the data collected as part of the Erasmus funded REPLAY-VET project

Keywords
Skills; Early Learning and Childcare Sector; recruitment; Scotland

Notes
Linked to Replay-Vet project (1st January 2017 – 30th December 2018) is funded by the ERASMUS + programme with an aim to improve the employability of low-skilled and disadvantaged people to acquire the necessary VET skills and taking advantage of the opportunities created by the need for replacements in the labour market. For more information about the project see: http://regionallabourmarketmonitoring.net

People

Professor Ronald McQuaid

Emeritus Professor, Management, Work and Organisation

Dr Aleksandra Webb

Lecturer, Management, Work and Organisation