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Social Labour, Employ ability and Social Exclusion: Pre-employment Training for Call Centre Work

Author

Listed:
  • Vicki Belt

    (Sector Skills Development Agency, 3 Call flex Business Park, Golden Smithies Lane, Wath-upon-Dearne, South Yorkshire, S63 7ER, UK, Vicki.Belt@ssda.org.uk)

  • Ranald Richardson

    (Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies, University of Newcastle, 4th Floor, Claremont Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, NEl 7RU, UK, Ranald.Richardson@ncl.ac.uk)

Abstract

Recent years have seen the growth of pre-employment training initiatives focusing on developing generic skills amongst the long-term unemployed in an attempt to ensure their access to jobs in the service economy. This article is concerned with the effectiveness of such training, focusing specifically on initiatives designed to equip trainees with the generic skills required for call centre work. Drawing upon data gathered via case study research carried out in the North East of England, the article considers the extent to which the training schemes studied were successful in improving the employability of participants. In doing so, it contributes to current debates about the implications of economic restructuring for the nature of work, skills and labour market disadvantage.

Suggested Citation

  • Vicki Belt & Ranald Richardson, 2005. "Social Labour, Employ ability and Social Exclusion: Pre-employment Training for Call Centre Work," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 42(2), pages 257-270, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:42:y:2005:i:2:p:257-270
    DOI: 10.1080/0042098042000316137
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ranald Richardson & Vicki Belt & Neill Marshall, 2000. "Taking Calls to Newcastle: The Regional Implications of the Growth in Call Centres," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 34(4), pages 357-369.
    2. Ronald W. McQuaid & Colin Lindsay, 2005. "The Concept of Employability," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 42(2), pages 197-219, February.
    3. Gillian Bristow & Max Munday & Peter Gripaios, 2000. "Call Centre Growth and Location: Corporate Strategy and the Spatial Division of Labour," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 32(3), pages 519-538, March.
    4. John Adams & Malcolm Greig & Ronald W McQuaid, 2000. "Mismatch Unemployment and Local Labour-Market Efficiency: The Role of Employer and Vacancy Characteristics," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 32(10), pages 1841-1856, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Rasha ElSaheli-Elhage & Chantal Lakkis, 2019. "The Impact of ICT Training on Income Generation Opportunities for Vulnerable Young Adults in Lebanon," International Journal of Emerging Trends in Social Sciences, Scientific Publishing Institute, vol. 6(1), pages 19-28.

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