Growth in part-time employment: implications for training policy

Recent trends in casual and part-time work are outlined, and implications for training policy are explored. Economic models of training predict that part-time and casual working arrangements will reduce the incentive for firms to invest in training. These models are briefly described, and Australian data on training expenditures is used to explore further the significance of working arrangements to training outcomes. Training policy issues associated with the growth of part-time and casual work are described. Potential policy interventions are outlined.

This paper originally was prepared for and was financially supported by the Western Australian Department of Training.

Recent trends in casual and part-time work are outlined, and implications for training policy are explored. Economic models of training predict that part-time and casual working arrangements will reduce the incentive for firms to invest in training. These models are briefly described, and Australian data on training expenditures is used to explore further the significance of working arrangements to training outcomes. Training policy issues associated with the growth of part-time and casual work are described. Potential policy interventions are outlined.

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