06 May 2008 – Publication of DWP research report 472: Factors influencing the inter- and intra-class mobility of Jobcentre Plus customers: a case study approach

This research report looks at the factors which influence occupational and social mobility for current and former Jobcentre Plus customers.

The research follows on from a literature review 'Factors Influencing Social Mobility’ which was published as part of the DWP Research Report series earlier this year (July 2007; Research Report 450).

It is based on qualitative interviews carried out in three case study areas.

Findings

1. The family is an important influence, providing social capital, a supportive environment and educational encouragement.
2. Parent’s encouragement of children’s education needs to be channeled or to have focus to result in aspirations to higher education and future careers.
3. Some parents take decisive action to improve the life chances of their children, e.g. moving house for access to better schools. However, other parents feel constrained in the options open to them and lack awareness of the educational system, training opportunities, and career structures.  This lack of awareness can impair parents’ ability to plan for their children’s future and can constrain aspirations and limit children’s future chances for upward social mobility.
4. Experiences of Further Education (FE) are generally positive. For some this resulted in life changing effects and entry into stable employment or a path to career progression.  But experiences of FE tended mainly to be vocational and related to the labour market rather than to progression to Higher Education. The implication is that FE was important in stimulating intra-class mobility(i.e. from worklessness or insecure work to more stable employment within the same class) rather than inter-class (i.e. a movement between social class groups) terms.
5. A lack of detailed careers advice and guidance either at school or from welfare-to-work service providers may contribute to the lack of awareness and knowledge in families, and to the lack of careers, occupational and labour market knowledge and awareness.
6. A lack of soft skills and restricts respondents’ capacity for social progression, particularly in the inability of some respondents, or their families, to gain access to or to make the most of public service provision.
7. The process of emotional development - work and life experiences leading to the development of new life and labour market aspirations and realistic plans to achieve these - is a strong factor behind some respondents being upwardly mobile - moving from unemployment or insecure employment to more stable jobs with prospects for progression.

Notes to Editors

1. The report is based on qualitative research with analysis conducted by the Policy Research Unit Leeds Metropolitan University. The research was based on qualitative interviews with 92 current and previous Jobcentre Plus customers carried out in three case study areas.

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Prepared by: DWP Work to Work Directorate