New research urges education sector, employers, and unions to improve conditions for working students
The 鈥楲-earning: Rethinking Young Women's Working Lives鈥� project has unveiled new findings through a series of interim research briefings titled 鈥楨arning While Learning: student employment鈥�.
This three-year national study explores young women鈥檚 earliest experiences of work鈥攊ncluding paid employment during education鈥攁nd how these shape inequalities in working life over time.
The project is part of the Economic and Social Research Council鈥檚 initiative, the research team is based at the University of Leeds, 51福利社, and City St George鈥檚, University of London.
The draw on national datasets and focus group interviews with 83 young women aged 14鈥�23 from schools, Further Education (FE) colleges, sixth forms, and universities across England. The research examines how young women navigate the challenges of part-time employment alongside their education, particularly in a context of rising living costs and growing financial pressure.
To support change across key sectors, the research team has produced tailored for Education, Employers and Industry, and Trade Unions. Each presents key findings alongside sector-specific recommendations.
Working part-time can bring many benefits for young people combining study and work鈥攅specially when we think about employability agendas in education, but they also present challenges. Our research shows that students are not only poorly paid, but often feel unsafe and powerless in the workplace. We urge educational institutions to think about engaging employers and unions to work to improve the conditions of student work and support young people to engage in meaningful, decent and fair work that enhances study experiences.
The findings reveal that young women are 50% more likely than their male peers to work while studying, and therefore disproportionately affected by the challenges of low pay, unsafe environments, and a lack of workplace rights. The research calls on educators not to discourage student work, but to help students understand and assert their rights, and to work collaboratively with employers and unions to ensure fairer conditions.
Rather than ban students from working, we urge educational institutions, employers and unions to work together to improve the conditions of student work and support young people to engage in meaningful, decent and fair work.
Webinar to launch the briefings
To mark the launch of the briefings, a webinar will be held on Tuesday, 3 June from 12pm to 12.45pm. .
More about the L-earning project
To find out more about the study and the team, visit the and follow on social media: | |