Evaluation of the Australian Wage Subsidy Special Youth ...

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for teens overall had risen, employment rose most for school students, whose
employment was mostly part time 41 averaging 4-6 hours a week – the Saturday job effect
(Ross (1988): 11).
Ross (1988) found the most suitable interpretation was that employers were placing
greater reliance on casual and part-time labour while teens were aware of lack of
experience and qualifications affecting employment chances. Thus, teens were remaining
in school longer, and accepting part-time employment as a first-step to full-time
employment, which gave work-experience. The growth in in-school employment was
interpreted as an attempt to combine work experience with higher educational attainment.
Stricker and Sheehan (1981) and Merrilees (1981), in commenting on the rise in
schooling participation, noted that those who wanted a job but were unable to find one
could remain in school, and the state of the youth labour market had thus affected
schooling rates.
41 Fulltime employment was defined as 35 hours or more per week, with part-time less than 35 hours per
week.