1. Employment Research Institute Job search services for the unemployed in rural areas: The role of ICT October 2003 Ronald W. McQuaid, Colin Lindsay and Malcolm Greig Employment Research Institute, Napier University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

2. Employment Research Institute Structure of the presentation The context for the research: rurality, the accessibility of services and the role of ICT The study areas and research methods Survey findings: ICT and job seeking Focus group findings: is there a role for ICT? ICT-based services: benefits and barriers Implications for research and policy

3. Employment Research Institute Rurality, service accessibility and the role of ICT Rural areas and problems of distance: remoteness and the accessibility of services Informal networking and the dynamics of rural labour markets ICT: facilitating solutions to social exclusion ICT: a key role in delivering services for unemployed job seekers in rural areas

4. Employment Research Institute The study areas Wick TTWA - remote rural town, NE Highlands Sutherland TTWA - large, sparsely populated remote rural area, scattered settlements Sutherland: a key role for ICT in delivering services for unemployed job seekers Both areas – history of high unemployment West Lothian – peri-urban, centrally located West Lothian: below average unemployment

5. Employment Research Institute

6. Methodology Survey research: –190 responses in Wick (110) and Sutherland (80) –300 responses in West Lothian –Female/LTU job seekers targeted Focus group research: –6 groups in Wick (3) and Sutherland (3); –6 groups in West Lothian –72 participants in total –Mix of specific target groups and mixed focus groups

7. Employment Research Institute Survey findings: ICT access and skills Job seekers in remote Sutherland TTWA and peri-urban West Lothian more likely to have access to ICT Clear ‘digital divide’, with 15%-32% lacking access even to telephone-based ICT Unemployment duration; income group; age; educational attainment impact on access Lack of confidence in ICT skills, especially among low-skilled and those without access

8. Employment Research Institute Survey findings: Job seeking and ICT Internet-based job seeking marginal impact Sutherland job seekers much more likely to use the Internet to look for work Long-term unemployed, low skilled much less likely to use ICT Informal methods more important than formal services in rural areas Job seekers in Sutherland much less likely to visit PES Jobcentres on a weekly basis

9. Employment Research Institute BetaSig.BetaSig. Level of qualification0.2700.054*0.4380.002*** Perception ICT skills1.3400.000***1.1670.000*** Income group0.4840.000***0.1480.126 Resident West Lothian1.2570.006***0.5170.281 Resident Sutherland1.9250.000***1.3890.011** Unemployment duration-0.6070.074*-0.7310.049** Age 18-24-1.1930.004***-0.8970.039** Male-0.9430.012**-0.1490.689 Children under 18-0.5700.108-0.2810.455 Constant -4.1700.000***-3.9190.000*** Respondent characteristicHome Internet accessWeekly Internet job search

10. Employment Research Institute Survey findings: Conclusions Internet-based job seeking marginal impact Access to ICT: there is a digital divide –Young people, low skilled, people on low incomes –Long-term unemployed, unqualified Remoteness associated with Internet access, but so is ‘connectedness’ Use of ICT for job seeking defined by digital divide Location matters remote rural job seekers more likely to use ICT to look for work

11. Employment Research Institute Focus group findings: is there a role for ICT? Job seekers adapted well to the introduction of ICT into public Jobcentre facilities Perception that ‘jobpoint’ technology provided enhanced autonomy and privacy Perception that searchable database over- complicated the job search process: –for those seeking to browse across a range of jobs –for those in isolated rural areas with few vacancies

12. Employment Research Institute Focus groups: Is there a role for ICT? “I preferred the old card system…. I used to walk in and look at things and think, ‘I’ll try that’. Now, you’ve got to have a specific idea. I mean, I’m a manual labourer; I don’t have a specific idea.” Peter, 53, unemployed two years, Wick “They’ve got it set up for big urban areas, where you need categories of jobs, but up here there’s no need for it. You could fit a list of local jobs on half a page.” John, 34, unemployed one year, Sutherland

13. Employment Research Institute Focus groups: is there a role for ICT? Perception that Internet database over- complicated the job search process: –for those seeking to browse across a range of jobs –for those in isolated rural areas with few vacancies Internet-based services seen as providing accessible and accurate job information Telephone helplines used regularly, but concern over the lack of a ‘local dimension’

14. Employment Research Institute Focus groups: Limits on the role of ICT The impact of social networking –crucial in rural areas, marginal in peri-urban areas –formal services often by-passed in rural areas The impact of labour demand –lack of opportunities limiting impact of interventions –lack of labour demand - scepticism regarding the value of any public service interventions Need for ICT resources and facilities that have a local dimension and tap local knowledge

15. Employment Research Institute Focus groups: Limits on the role of ICT On informal networks: “It’s about getting yourself established… There are jobs, but word of mouth goes a long way. If you know people, you can get a job. It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Andrew, 63, unemployed 7 months, Sutherland On lack of demand : “It sounds great. But number one we need jobs, number two we need transport. Forget about the Internet” Robbie, 45, unemployed two years, Sutherland

16. Employment Research Institute ICT and job seeking: Benefits and barriers Job seekers can adapt to ICT-based services An emerging but limited role in rural areas A digital divide affecting the most disadvantaged The design of software must reflect the realities of local labour markets in rural areas Acknowledging the role of informal networking Lack of demand in rural areas

17. Employment Research Institute ICT and job seeking: Implications for research and policy Web-based resources –the local dimension and facilitating information sharing and networking Community ICT Centres –a focal point for skills development, job seeking and networking –ensuring the most disadvantaged aren’t left behind Future research: –ICT and the regeneration and accessibility agendas

18. Employment Research Institute The report “ Wired for work? ICT and job seeking in rural areas ” is available on: http://www.jrf.org.uk/bookshop/details.asp?pu bID=552 http://www.napier.ac.uk/depts/eri/home.htm http://www.jrf.org.uk/bookshop/details.asp?pu bID=552 http://www.napier.ac.uk/depts/eri/home.htm