Are older workers ‘crowding out’ the young?: a study of the Australian transport and logistics labour market

Abstract

This paper explores a paradox in the Australian labour market namely that ageing workforces and significant skills shortages in certain sectors are juxtaposed with rising youth unemployment. According to one dominant view these two social issues are interrelated with young workers being ‘crowded out’ by their older colleagues who are delaying retirement. In this study, we consider the strength of this argument through an empirical examination of the Australian transport and logistics (T&L) industry using a combination of secondary and primary qualitative research sources. The study found that it is not the supply of older workers, the major barrier for youth access to employment, but rather employers’ recruitment practices and strategies designed to avoid the costs of training younger workers.

Keywords:

• ageing workforce
• youth unemployment
• lump of labour
• employer recruitment practices
• crowding out
• Australian transport and logistics industry

Acknowledgement

We are grateful for the continued support of the Australian Transport and Logistics Industry Skills Council (TLISC), who provided the funding for the underpinning study.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Victor Oyaro Gekara

Dr Victor Oyaro Gekara is a political economist with research interest in skills formation and workforce development under neoliberal economic transitions.

Darryn Snell

Dr Darryn Snell is a sociologist with research interest and expertise in skills transition and economic diversification.

Prem Chhetri

Professor Prem Chhetri is a labour geographer with research interest and expertise in the spatiality of labour market analysis.