Australian Catholic University (ACU), Melbourne - Project members Dr. Anne Daguerre and Dr. Sean Vincent from the University of Brighton introduced findings from the two-year Activating Employers Project at a seminar organized and hosted by project partners at ACU, Professor Jo Ingold and Dr Qian Yi Lee. This study examines the implementation of "Good Jobs" initiatives across three common law jurisdictions: the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States. The project specifically focuses on improving job quality for disadvantaged groups, particularly in construction and social care sectors. In addition to project members, the seminar was joined by a number of stakeholders and academics within the employment space.
During the presentation, the speakers highlighted the project’s key objectives and findings. These initiatives are driven by government procurement and regulatory measures aimed at promoting inclusivity, diversity, and better job conditions. In the UK, voluntary employment charters encourage companies to improve job standards, while similar frameworks exist in Australia and the U.S., supported by the Biden administration’s robust pro-labor agenda.
Dr. Vincent presented preliminary findings from the U.S., revealing significant governmental efforts to boost job quality through federal spending, including the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Despite these initiatives, challenges remain, such as enforcement difficulties and underemployment, particularly in sectors like home and social care.
A common theme throughout the research was the need for governments to connect active labour market policies with social procurement strategies. Dr. Daguerre emphasised that while many initiatives are in place, there is a striking disconnect between policy goals and practical implementation.
The project aims to provide insight into how governments can better utilize procurement and labour market interventions to promote fair work, especially for marginalised groups. With final reports and publications expected in 2025, this research has the potential to influence future labour market reforms in these three nations.
To see the full presentation, please click play on the video below. You can also download the accompanying slides here.
A new study by the Activating Employers project, published in Social Policy and Administration, explores how public procurement impacts Active Labour Market Policies (ALMPs) in the UK, US, and Australia. The research highlights disparities in aligning procurement with employment goals, offering insights for policymakers to improve labour market interventions post-pandemic.
This paper sets out evidence on what has worked in supporting ‘good work’ in employment programmes. Employment support in the UK is often characterised by a focus on encouraging unemployed people to take up ‘any job’, even where that might be low paid or insecure, but there has been a growing focus in recent years (in the UK and overseas) on how programmes can help people access better paid jobs and progress in work. This paper summarises findings from more successful initiatives in this space, drawing on a rapid review of research reports and evaluations from the United Kingdom, United States and Australia.
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