The Gig Economy

PasturesNew

All these people that think people can simply walk into a better paid job .... are living in cuckoo land.



Most people who are, say, classroom assistants, probably have 2 O Levels, not a triple maths degree.

Apodemus

PasturesNew wrote: »

All these people that think people can simply walk into a better paid job .... are living in cuckoo land.



Most people who are, say, classroom assistants, probably have 2 O Levels, not a triple maths degree.

I think you are wrong when it comes to the specific case of classroom assistants (but possibly more correct on the wider principle). Classroom assistants are quite often better qualified than the role they fill, but have chosen to be in jobs that match the free time that they have around their own children's schooling.

kabayiri

Apodemus wrote: »

I think you are wrong when it comes to the specific case of classroom assistants (but possibly more correct on the wider principle). Classroom assistants are quite often better qualified than the role they fill, but have chosen to be in jobs that match the free time that they have around their own children's schooling.

It's actually true in wider industry. I can think of a number of graduates I have worked with in different call centres, with degrees in Geology; Criminology; Geography; History etc.

Many of them reach Team Leader level, but up in the NW that typically pays 18K - 24K.

It's not a king's ransom. We are certainly not exploiting their academic prowess.

kabayiri

PasturesNew wrote: »

All these people that think people can simply walk into a better paid job .... are living in cuckoo land.


...

There is greater job mobility now, which we could argue is a good thing.

But I suspect it comes at a price. There is less job security these days.

Take all these claims firms which have sprung up after the PPI scandal. Staff attrition rates can be as high as 25% to 30% per annum. It's not the kind of work to plan a long term career around.

GreatApe

PasturesNew wrote: »

All these people that think people can simply walk into a better paid job .... are living in cuckoo land.



Most people who are, say, classroom assistants, probably have 2 O Levels, not a triple maths degree.

Assuming they are of average capability what is to stop them getting the median paying job of some £26k pa?

If they are completely lacking in skill or education its never been easier to get ahold of the highest quality information and education

The main thing that stops people getting more is that they are content with their lot and don't want for more or don't want for more enough to actually go and look for and apply for other jobs.

mrginge

kabayiri wrote: »

It's actually true in wider industry. I can think of a number of graduates I have worked with in different call centres, with degrees in Geology; Criminology; Geography; History etc.

Many of them reach Team Leader level, but up in the NW that typically pays 18K - 24K.

It's not a king's ransom. We are certainly not exploiting their academic prowess.

Which begs the question, did we waste our time and money educating these people?

Thrugelmir

GreatApe wrote: »

Assuming they are of average capability what is to stop them getting the median paying job of some £26k pa?

Lack of hunger to put the hard work in. Life is too easy. Why have the hassle.

kabayiri

mrginge wrote: »

Which begs the question, did we waste our time and money educating these people?

To be honest, I'm not sure.

I've had plenty of opportunity to visit a number of Universities recently.

You get the impression now that higher education is a volume business. These places rely on a core volume of students to build and support the infrastructure.

It is this infrastructure which presumably attracts profitable students from overseas.

So you may have a relatively healthy Higher Education industry, but one where the economics for individual students look less clear than they did a few decades ago.

I have seen it argued that we are reaching a point where 10% of the world's workforce could provide for the 100%. So what do we do with the 90% who don't need to be providers?

kabayiri

Thrugelmir wrote: »

Lack of hunger to put the hard work in. Life is too easy. Why have the hassle.

I have a few different friends who work/worked in the digital print industry.

More than one told me about earnings being north of £50K during the 90s.

Today the salary offered can be half that.

Has their effort and commitment halved, or the industry changed around them?