1. LAMAS Working Group 7-8 December 2016
Agenda Item 3.5 Education variables and the regular module 'Young people on the labour market'
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2. Background Has been run 3 times (2000, 2009 and 2016)
Will be repeated (presumably in 2024)
Improvements of variables based on 2016 results
DG EMPL and CEDEFOP (main users) suggested to create a new core variable, HATWORK
Timing:
HATWORK for the 1st implementing regulation
Content of the regular module for the 2nd implementing regulation
The ad hoc module on young people on the labour market has been run three times (most recently this year), and it will be included in the future as well, in one form or another.
In the task force 2 meeting two of the main users of this data set (the directorate general for employment, inclusion, and social affairs, and the european centre for the development of vocational training), expressed a strong wish for a new variable in the core: HATWORK (work experience at a work place as a part of HATLEVEL)
One point that we do underline, and which also was commented on by you, is the time line we are working on:
Deciding on having or not having HATWORK must happen first (and consequently on if the regular module should have 11 or 7 variables), and for the first implementing regulation, so preferable in this meeting.
The detailed content of the regular module can be decided later
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3. Comments received
The results of the vote is here. as per tradition, everyone is for limiting the size of the LFS, and fewer are for adding a new variable.
But please note that the idea is not 'cut and not add'. The realistic options, which we negotiated with the main users are either 'keep the regular module (11 variables)' or 'cut the module and add HATOWRK'
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4. Comments received (reasons for 'no')
Respondents don’t remember this
Increased response burden
Entry filter is too wide (AGE, HATLEVEL)
Should be in a regular module for increased analytical value
Should be derived from education statistics
Should be biennial
The reasoning behind saying no is
Memory effects: OECD publish this data, so it does not seem to be a major problem; also there are ways how to improve/simplify the responses
Increase burden: the proposal is trade-off thus it should not impact the overall survey burden
Entry filter too wide – we tried to have a balanced approach; other countries comment that it's too narrow
Should be in regular module for analytical value – no, the analytical value is for cross-referencing the variable with core variables in the LFS (employment status, income, etc.)
Should be derived from education statistics – no, impossible, administrative education statistics provide flow data, while the only education specific survey – AES – has too limited sample sizes to enable such analysis
Should be biennial – policy need for policy monitoring (also I understood that there is preferable from technical perspective if linked to HATLEVEL???)
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5. Comments received (other)
Should exclude HATLEVEL=800
Widen the entry filter (include all)
How to classify internships for lawyers, doctors?
Requires derived variables in the questionnaire
Answer categories should be more detailed
Add 'yes, but don’t remember the duration'
Drop the payment criterion
Other comments, among those who voted in favour of adding HATLEVEL, are
Exclude HATLEVEL 800 – no, it brings very little benefits in terms of reduced sample size but increases complexity of filtering, it is also relevant for certain countries (Italy)
Widen entry filter – we would like to retain balance;
Classification of specific cases is a technical issue, does not need to be part of the definition, needs analysis;
Derived variables – depends how countries intends to implement it; overall only few questions would be needed
Answer categories more detailed – we try to keep balance
Add answer category on duration – we try to keep balance; it then needs also the same for pay?
Drop payment criterion – it is an essential criterion, now included in ad-hoc module; it is also in a number of countries linked in defining apprenticeships; an essential category to indicate differences among countries
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6. LAMAS is invited to discuss :
About HATWORK:
The entry filter (widen, reduce or keep?)
The answer options (widen, reduce or keep?)
The balance between the regular module and the core
For the debate I am happy to give the lead to Mantas, from DG EMPL, who represents the users of the variable, and who can answer your questions.
The floor is open for your comments and questions
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