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Skills Deepening or Credentialism? Education Qualifications and Occupational Outcomes, 1996-2011

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  • Tom Karmel

    (Flinders University)

Abstract

We look at the changes to the ‘quality’ of jobs obtained by persons with particular qualifications over the period 1996 to 2011, where quality is based on an index which ranks 400 or so occupations by the level of qualifications in the occupation, average income of those who are full-time employed or occupational status. The occupational structure has changed in a way to favour the ‘better jobs’, but this has been swamped by the expansion in educational qualifications with the result that the average quality of the job obtained by a person with a particular qualification is lower in 2011 than in 1996. The census data allow a detailed characterisation of qualifications with four levels – higher degrees, degrees, diplomas and certificates III/IV – and nine fields of study. The groups most affected by the decline in the quality of jobs obtained are those with a higher degree (particularly business and administration) and diploma (particularly education and health).

Suggested Citation

  • Tom Karmel, 2015. "Skills Deepening or Credentialism? Education Qualifications and Occupational Outcomes, 1996-2011," Australian Journal of Labour Economics (AJLE), Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC), Curtin Business School, vol. 18(1), pages 29-51.
    • Handle: RePEc:ozl:journl:v:18:y:2015:i:1:p:29-51
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Michael Coelli & Roger Wilkins, 2009. "Credential Changes and Education Earnings Premia in Australia," The Economic Record, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 85(270), pages 239-259, September.
    2. Karmel, T, 2013. "Surely there are too many graduates now?," Australian Bulletin of Labour, National Institute of Labour Studies, vol. 39(2), pages 59-74.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Human capital; Skills; Occupational choice; Labor productivity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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