Career-first: An approach to sustainable labour market integration

Citation

McQuaid R, Fuertes V & Robertson P (2021) Career-first: An approach to sustainable labour market integration. International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance, 21 (2), pp. 429-446. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-020-09451-2

Abstract
Active labour market policies aim at supporting people entering and, importantly, remaining in the labour market. Initiatives to this end have often been characterised by a mixture of ‘human capital’ and ‘work-first’ approaches, although both have had a relatively limited effect on achieving job sustainability for those most distant from the labour market. This paper explores a distinctive approach to supporting job entry and sustainable employment that we have called ‘career-first’. The career-first approach to labour activation draws on three separate traditions of thinking: labour market, career development, and the capability literatures. Common ground is found in these three perspectives so each complements the weaknesses of the others. A career-first approach may be able to help deliver benefits to the individual, their family, and the wider society.

Keywords
employability; career-first; career development; labour market policy; capability

Journal
International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance: Volume 21, Issue 2

• Published version