Creating Markets or Decent Jobs? Group Training and the future of work

By Justine Evesson and John Buchanan

What do group training companies do? What do their operations reveal about options for work in the future?

In response to these questions this report presents an analysis of four strategically selected contrasting Group Training Organisations (GTOs). This analysis is underpinned by a critical reading of key currents within the literature on the changing nature of work.

The key issue concerning work in the future is not whether one is 'pro' or 'anti' market. Rather the choice is whether markets are seen as an objective to be promoted or a constraint with which people, institutions and policies have to deal. If the former view is taken GTOs will become employment agencies and labour hire frms specialising in employment based training. If the latter view is taken then GTOs provide important pointers on how more decent jobs can be created in the future.

(abridged version of a report prepared for the National Council for Vocational Education Research - NCVER)