First Published in 1996. The transition from school to work has always been a crucial time in the lives of young people. How and when this transition is made can have a major impact upon the sense of identity they develop, the importance they feel they have in the eyes of others, the kind of person they want to be and their view of the world in general. This book is about the nature of that transition for one small group of young people, making the journey in the new policy environment of post-Thatcherite Britain.
Autorentext
Phil Hodkinson, Andrew C. Sparkes, Heather Hodkinson
Zusammenfassung
Population ageing and slower economic growth have raised serious questions about the willingness and ability of governments to maintain current social policies. Within this new reality, discussions on the future of public pensions have been predominant in political debates across Europe. This book explains why certain countries have been able to radically transform their pension system while others have simply altered parameters. To answer this question an extensive comparative analysis, including more than 60 interviews, was conducted in Belgium, France, Sweden and the UK. This empirical data provides an interesting contrast between reforms. Parametric reforms have stemmed from the creation of pension administrations outside the traditional state apparatus in France and Belgium and the resulting inclusion of social partners; while the state administrations of Sweden and the UK where debates have been internalised have led to programmatic reforms. Two controversial findings of this book include an explanation for the lack of influence on the part of the labour movement in the 1994/98 Swedish reform and a rejection of arguments claiming that policy change will be minimal with coalition governments. Finally the conclusion seeks to extend the applicability of the model to other industrialized countries.This book will be of interest to students and scholars of public policy, specifically social policy, political economy, the welfare state and comparative politics.
Inhalt
Chapter 1 Prologue The Purpose and Structure of the Book; Chapter 2 Training Credits and the Transition to Work in Post-Thatcherite Britain; Chapter 3 Stakeholders and Training Credits; Chapter 4 Anticipations and Forced Change: Helen's Story; Chapter 5 Victim, Fool or Rebel?: Laura's Story; Chapter 6 Choice, Empowerment and Unsatisfactory Training: Elaine and Alison; Chapter 7 NVQs and On- and Off-the-Job Training: Clive and Becky; Chapter 8 General Satisfaction and Untroubled Progress: David, Peter, Sam and Frances; Chapter 9 Markets, Vouchers and Training Policy; Chapter 10 Career Decision Making and Culture in the Transition from School to Work;