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Straight to Work or a Traineeship: A comparison of Two Pathways

Author

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  • Michael Dockery

    (Curtin University of Technology)

  • Thorsten Stromback

    (Curtin University of Technology)

Abstract

This paper presents a simple theoretical model of the Australian Traineeship System and goes on to evaluate the early career outcomes of young persons who take up a traineeship shortly after leaving school. The trainees are compared to other school leavers who do not undertake any further education or training after leaving school. Using eight indicators of outcomes, it is found that doing a traineeship does not lead to a marked improvement in outcomes although trainees have a stronger commitment to their chosen career and express greater satisfaction with their jobs than young persons who go straight to work.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Dockery & Thorsten Stromback, 2005. "Straight to Work or a Traineeship: A comparison of Two Pathways," Australian Journal of Labour Economics (AJLE), Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC), Curtin Business School, vol. 8(4), pages 309-329, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:ozl:journl:v:8:y:2005:i:4:p:309-329
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Hohendanner, Christian & Janik, Florian, 2008. "Praktika und betriebliche Personalpolitik : Verbreitung und Nutzungsintensität von Praktika in deutschen Betrieben (Internships and personnel policy : dispersion and usage of internships in German fir," Zeitschrift für ArbeitsmarktForschung - Journal for Labour Market Research, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany], vol. 41(4), pages 471-487.
    2. Hohendanner, Christian & Janik, Florian, 2008. "Praktika und betriebliche Personalpolitik : Verbreitung und Nutzungsintensität von Praktika in deutschen Betrieben (Internships and personnel policy : dispersion and usage of internships in German fir," Zeitschrift für ArbeitsmarktForschung - Journal for Labour Market Research, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany], vol. 41(4), pages 471-487.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity (Formal Training Programs; On-the-Job Training); Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials by Skill; Training; Occupation; etc.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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