The Impacts of Policy Responses to Youth Unemployment Today - Research Paper Example

QUALITATIVE SOCIAL RESEARCH By (Name) Course Professor’s Name University Name City, State Date of Submission Introduction The pace of economic decline and unemployment has become the main concern of every young person taking his or her studies in the institutions of higher learning. Ever since the economic meltdown (crises) of 2008-2009, the rates, especially the unemployment rate has always been unpleasant to every young Australian student enrolled in the Australian university, particularly taking the social sciences courses. The current global unemployment problem presents a particularly difficult labor market experience for young workers. According to Servais (2011), the International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates no less than 40% of all unemployed people are young. As available knowledge indicates, young people are disadvantaged in finding employment, especially in rigid labor markets. There are several factors, such as their relative lack of skills, unstable labor market experience and discrimination, which contribute to the difficulty usually faced by young people entering the labor market. Thus, unemployment among young people has become a major policy challenge for governments and employers in the 21st century. To analyze the impacts of policy responses to youth unemployment today, it is important to assess the character of youth unemployment problems and to examine the existing research concerning the most important supply and demand factors at the national level. It is also critical to compare the courses taken in relevance to the labor market, given the availability of job opportunities in the related industries. Therefore, this paper purposed to analyze the perspectives or views of the young people enrolled in the Australian Universities in social sciences concerning the causes, impacts of and the policy responses to youth unemployment today. Focusing on the main research question of the study topic, ‘How do young people enrolled in Australian university social science courses view the causes, impacts of and policy responses to youth unemployment today?’ the paper considered the relevant literatures to the topic of study. The literature reviewed from other materials formed the foundation and not a limitation to the extent of data on the variables that were collected. More than that, direct and comprehensive methodology suited for the extraction of the needed information was employed in the research. This research utilized survey methods and applied exploratory research techniques to uncover the real problems faced by young people on employment issues. The results obtained were interpreted in addressing the objectives and the topic of study. The study is significant in the sense that it will add value to the body of knowledge that exists and the potential findings of the study are important especially to the students, labor market, the government, and other stakeholders. Literature Review The study reviewed the existing literature that relates to the possible facts concerning students’ courses, unemployment, and their perspectives towards the impacts of and policy responses to the youth unemployment today. While examining the literature review, the study identified the gaps that should be filled in the existing literature. In the arguments of Bell (2000), the current global unemployment problem present a difficult challenge to the labor market as experienced by young workers. The striking challenge comes to the students still on their studies working on their preferred courses that could land them jobs of their dreams. The fact is that amidst of the several factors, such as their relative lack of skills, unstable labor market experience and discrimination that contributes to the difficulty usually faced by young people entering the labor market, unemployment among young people has become a major policy challenge for governments and employers. The decline in full-time opportunities has generally been matched by an increase in part-time and casual work opportunities that on the other hand has limited the choices for young people who would like to work full-time. The trend in the labor market shows that the tendency for employers seeking full-time employees to demand more highly skilled workers. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics Labor Force data (2003), less than 20% of teenage workers were engaged in part-time employment in 1978. Twenty years later, that figure had risen to more than 60%, while in June 2007 it surpassed the two-thirds mark. The increase over the same thirty-year period for 20-24 year olds has been from less than 10% to just over 30%. For some young people, this trend toward part-time and casual work has deeper implications for long-term job prospects. Bell (2000) states that those in part-time or casual work generally fail to learn additional skills or gain adequate experience, which in turn increases the risk of them not finding full-time employment in the future. According to Servais (2011), diminishing job opportunities for teenagers have a ‘discouraged worker effect’ that sees many teenagers who would like to leave school and get a full-time job having to stay on at school in face of a weak labor market . Based on the statistical facts from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the 1980's and 1990's unemployment was one of Australia’s long-term economic problems. The level of unemployment rose to 7% in January 2002. However, in the mid 2000’s the unemployment rate fell to very low levels as the Australian economy boomed and economic growth was high. The trend continued as unemployment rate had fallen to 5.1% in 2006. This was a record lowest level since 1976. During 2007 and 2008 the unemployment rate fell below 5% and fell to just above 4%. The slowdown in growth in the Australian economy and the global recession caused an increase in unemployment and by July 2009, the unemployment rate had risen to 5.8% (Taylor, & Saunders, 2002). According to economic perspective, the increase in demand for labor in the labor market is directly dependent on the level of economic activity on aggregate terms in the economy. In this perspective, it can be demonstrated or argued out that the downturn in the United States economy thus, the global financial crises of 2007-9 affected Australian exports, economic growth, and therefore the projected levels of unemployment. Bell (2000) accepts that during the periods when the country has to deal with sluggish growth and economic activities, there are numerous pressures for public policy to creating opportunities for economic growth and employment. There is no shortage of ideas and policy initiatives for addressing the daunting challenge of youth employment, but the need for a comprehensive policy approach, which combines dedicated strategy for youth employment, must also include measures addressing systemic and institutional impediments to the sustainability of policies for the employment of young people. In addition to ensuring that young people stay in school longer, public policies must also create the enabling environment and avenues for skills acquisition and real work experience among young workers. According to Australian Bureau of Statistics (2007), the primary cause of youth unemployment is the lack of suitable jobs, particularly full-time jobs. In Australia, there has been a significant decline in full-time jobs for 15-24 year olds over the past 10-15 years. As noted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the needs and experiences within this broad age group can vary significantly, wherever appropriate, the data and experiences of teenagers (15-19 years) are separated from those of young adults (20-24 years) (ABS 2007). It is estimated that since 1995, there had been a 6.9% decrease in the number of full-time jobs available to teenagers and a 15.2% drop for young adults, estimates by Dusseldorp Skills Forum in 2003. The question is what does the many students in the institutions of higher learning feel about these challenges that seems a stumbling obstacle for them before securing a stable employment? It is the dream of every student to become successful in life, a fact that many determine by being employed. The social science covers a huge spectrum of knowledge that combines arts and sciences. As stated by Australian Bureau of Statistics (2007),education is consistently referred to as a key supply-side factor. In this case, inadequate education appears as a major underlying cause of youth unemployment, while more education appears as the panacea. The National Board for Education, Employment, and Training identified that, for those outside of education, unemployment is re-occurring, and there is a greater likelihood of being trapped in involuntary part-time and/or casual employment, with little training, limited career prospects and low pay Australian Bureau of Statistics (2007). Based on the report by Australian Bureau of Statistics (2007) on youth unemployment in Australia (2006), education was a major factor influencing employability. Low levels of education was found to be an underlying indicator of youth unemployment, with early high school leavers in particular suffering much higher levels of unemployment, recurring unemployment, and high levels of part-time and casual employment. Dodd & Tadros (2014) argues that two-thirds of university graduates in some courses, especially in social sciences, are failing to find a full-time job within four months of ­completing their course. Based on the data, there are specific courses that lead to tough job prospects based on the extensive student survey conducted by the study. Some of the worst jobs outcomes, according to the article are that in the University of Sydney’s build Social Sciences courses, about 70% of the graduates were still full-time job seekers months after completing their courses. University of Adelaide about 68% while the University of Tasmania with about 73%. Results and Analysis It is vital that Students of Social sciences such as Economics, business, management, among others need to be aware of what is happening in the Australian Economy today and should, be aware of current employment statistics. Based on the research done to reflect the specific sample of 10 participants that had been selected for the purpose of the study, the following findings proved common. Youth unemployment and trend All the participants related employment to attainment of financial stability by earning some income and being able to support one’s self. Most of the participants argued that the real point about youth employment is about self-sustenance and independency. Others argued that employment is a means of making money and sustaining passions that youth have without necessarily relying on the others like parents on personal objectives. As far as unemployment becoming a problem is concerned, most of the students felt that it is a real problem especially after finishing their courses. Many students agreed that they had to change their courses of interest to advance into other courses due to job specifications. In this way, most of them argued that unemployment as whole and the job-seeking process after clearing their courses did affect the courses they chose. Most of the students are also aware of the majority of young people remaining jobless after university studies and are socially affected by it. Such cases demoralize studies when studying. Others agreed that earning money, creating time and completing a full-time university degree has a large impact on whether you are employed or unemployed as a young person or student. Most of the participants (students) have a real personal experience or stories about young people being unable to secure a job for him or herself. Some get casual works that are not promising, while others did get nothing at all. The general feeling is stressful and pressured considering the demands of the youth. Thus, unemployment among youth can be a stressful thing. According to the participants, even though some students or young people may become lucky enough to get a job when still young, either their close relatives or friends have been unable to get a job or had a job that clearly underpays. Thus, all have a story to tell about unemployment among young people in Australia. In fact, about 40% of the participants agreed to have friends or relatives who had been looking for jobs for a long time could get jobs. The media too has also contributed to the awareness of the youth unemployment challenges in Australia. A section of the students argued that the trending high unemployment rate in Australia among the young people is a case to worry about. Nevertheless, unemployment cases are connected directly to the socio-economic factors as well as personal aggression. Others get job quickly while others do not. Generally, it depends on the labor market in Australia. Unemployment and crime A section of the participants strongly linked unemployment to crime rates in Australia. The frustrations of not securing a job make young people to opt for criminal activities to meet their livelihood. As a major impact of joblessness among youth, crime rate has really increased over the span of 5 years. Among other impacts that were proposed by the participants included the lack of financial income and stability as the main factor on unemployed youths. Most of the respondents felt that there is a huge link between education, employment, and responsibility. The society expects more from the educated people, but these educated people on the other hand may fail to meet the expectations of the society without employment, thus risk being stigmatized. Most of the respondents argued that employment provides a bit of education and responsibility in such a way that comparing the responsibility between an employed people to an unemployed person give a higher responsibility to the employed as far as helping the society is concerned. This makes the employed individuals to be busy and have no criminal mentality, as they are aware of their responsibilities. The response of the government While a section of the respondents feel that the government has put some effort to address the unemployment issues affecting the youth, others feel the government is not addressing the issue with the priority it deserves. Most of the respondents get information purely from the media, portraying the government officials as only interested in their own personal agendas apart from issues affecting the society such as youth unemployment cases. Most of the respondents felt that unequal distribution of resources in Australia has been the major course and the reverse can help solve this problem. Discussion It is very good to get out of school and secure an employment that will go a long way changing the living standards at personal level and of the people around you. Since, as realized from the results and analysis section above, most learners link the result of education to good jobs and economic stability. Since the modern society associate learning to economic perspectives, it is a great feeling to secure a job after education. However, the general feeling among the university students is that unemployment rates in Australia has tremendously gone up in this decade, making most of the students to fear of what the future holds for them. The fact is that the research findings like these fuel attempts to alleviate the problem of youth unemployment by encouraging students to stay at school and pursue higher educational qualifications. Based on the arguments of Bell (2000), education evidently does play an important role in increasing the employment prospects for young people, it is also important to consider what forms of education are most appropriate. Decisions about work and education are not made independently of each other, and are likely to be affected by perceptions about the likelihood of finding work. In addition, the choice of the degree that most students make today are argued from their job competitiveness rather than interests. Thus, many students, especially in the social sciences took or are taking courses that did not match their areas of interest. According to the findings, the effect that socioeconomic status has on the labor market outcomes of young people is often cited as a major contributing factor to youth unemployment, limiting the opportunities open to young people. Even though there is a weak correlations between socio-economic status and unemployment, the trend in unemployment among young people are highly felt by a section of young people coming from the not-wealthy section of the economy. Based on the data from the ABS (2007), the unemployment rate for young people from language backgrounds other than English was 15% in the first year after school, compared to 9% for those from an English speaking background. Young people within this socioeconomic group also had a higher incidence of part-time work. Lower household income also has a significant effect on labor market outcomes. According to Servais (2011), young people in low income households are less likely to be fully engaged in work or study than those in higher income households. Crime is an aftermath of unemployment due to frustrations among the young people unable to secure a job. Conclusion On issues concerning macroeconomic factors like growth and unemployment, the government has an upper hand in rescuing the society on such cases. Young people are the symbol of the future and if their welfare are not catered for, the country’s future is in jeopardy. The government, educational institutions, and the policy makers should make youth unemployment case a number one priority. The social differences play a major role in issues of employment. However, many people who have attained high educational degrees should taste the benefits of hard work. References Aassrec Biennial General Conference, Gale, F., & Fahey, S. (2005). Youth in transition: the challenges of generational change in Asia. Bangkok, Regional Unit for Social and Human Sciences in Asia and the Pacific, UNESCO. Anderson, K. (2009). Australia's economy in its international context the Joseph Fisher lectures. Adelaide, University of Adelaide Press. http://www.doabooks.org/doab?func=search&query=rid:14785. Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2007). Australian standard industrial classification. Canberra, Australian Bureau of Statistics. Bell, S. (2000). The unemployment crisis in Australia: which way out? Cambridge [u.a.], Cambridge Univ. Press. Dodd, Tim & Tadros, Edmund. 2014. The degrees of unemployment: universities’ jobless. Financial Review, 20, 1, pp. 1-8. Lei, F, & Silos, P 2012, 'Wages and Unemployment across Business Cycles: A High-Frequency Investigation', Working Paper Series (Federal Reserve Bank Of Atlanta), 16, pp. 1-34. Rawe, J, Coady, E, DeQuine, J, Fowler, D, Randall, L, & Thornburgh, N 2002, 'YOUNG & JOBLESS', Time, 159, 23, p. 36. Servais, J.-M. (2011). 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