Training and Labour Market Flexibility: Is There a Trade-off?

This paper explores the nexus between work‐related training and labour market ‘flexibility’ (which we proxy by contract type, part‐time employment and lack of union coverage), using the first five waves of the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS) conducted over the period 1991–5. Our results show that workers on short‐term employment contracts, who are working part‐time or are not covered by a union collective agreement, are significantly less likely to be involved in any work‐related training to improve or increase their skills. These findings suggest that there is a trade‐off between expanding the more marginal forms of employment and expanding the proportion of the work‐force getting work‐related training.