Page 94 - Socially-responsible-restructuring-Effective-strategies-for-supporting-redundant-workers

Socially responsible restructuring
Effective strategies for supporting redundant workers

of the mix of public and private provision and how they work together) and the
general state of the labour market. Here, the effectiveness of any support
programme will be influenced by external factors. In a slack local or occupational
labour market, where alternative job opportunities are more plentiful, the
transition for displaced workers should be more easily accommodated and the
challenge to the career guidance and support less acute. Further, the prevailing
labour market conditions will also dictate the quality and the quantity of the
outcomes. Greater employment choices can lead to displaced workers finding
jobs comparable or even better than their previous jobs, as measured in terms of
wages, non-wage benefits, conditions and status.
Tight labour market conditions may have effects that go beyond the
diminished demand for labour and supply of vacancies. In particular, when labour
market conditions are not generating many new jobs this may lead to displaced
workers putting more emphasis on their medium to longer term options, provided
that they have adequate financial support during this period. In such
circumstances the careers advice and guidance faces a stretched challenge.
With appropriate support this can lead to a more considered decision being taken
with, for example, individuals choosing to retrain or enhance their existing skills,
or to prepare appropriately for, and engage with, self-employment. In all cases
the role of careers support is crucial. The case studies provide a rich source of
information on how this support has been delivered and examples are given
where the different routes have been opened up.

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