Good jobs are a cornerstone of the Department for Economy's Economic Vision. This paper tackles the policy challenge of creating more good jobs, and provides a detailed strategy of how to support, grow, and sustain quality jobs for more workers.
This paper addresses the policy challenge of increasing the number of good jobs in Northern Ireland, a key pillar in the Department for Economy’s economic vision. It begins by outlining the development of job quality in a policy context in Northern Ireland, before compiling a review of the theoretical and evidence base that demonstrates the importance of job quality. The paper then assesses the structure of the labour market in Northern Ireland and brings to the fore the need to move beyond a sole focus on job creation, or indeed a sole focus on growing particular sectors based on the assumption that good jobs will follow. Rather this paper argues that a successful good jobs agenda must focus on improving the quality of all jobs, not just creating new ones or expanding specific sectors. It is only through doing this can the full gains of the good job’s agenda for productivity and regional balance be obtained.
The paper defines what constitutes a "good job" and argues that prioritising job quality can drive multiple benefits - not only for workers, but also for employers. It also interlinks as a driver of regional development and productivity growth. It also ensures that in efforts to decarbonise our economy that we ensure that it is undertaken in a fair and sustainable way. It emphasises that achieving good jobs requires a coordinated, state-led approach.
The proposed policy framework includes recommendations in three main areas: fostering high-value-added job growth; improving minimum statutory protections for workers; and enhancing the quality of existing jobs. This paper presents a foundational set of strategies and is intended as a work in progress.It is intended as a discussion paper, to encourage discussion and understanding of these issues across Northern Ireland. Future iterations will build on these initial recommendations, delving more deeply into specific policy proposals and refining the good jobs agenda as it develops in Northern Ireland, embedding it within the broader policy architecture.