Mobility of labour Cambridge IGCSE Economics (9–1) revision
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In plain words
Jobs disappear in one town or one industry while vacancies open in another. Whether the unemployed can fill them depends on how easily workers can move: from place to place, and from one kind of work to another.
Economists call this the mobility of labour.
5 things to know
- Geographical mobility is the ability of workers to move from one place to another to take a job.
- It is held back by the cost and availability of housing, family ties, the cost of moving, and lack of information about jobs elsewhere.
- Occupational mobility is the ability of workers to change from one occupation to another.
- It is held back by a lack of the right skills and qualifications, and by the time and cost of retraining.
- Greater mobility means vacancies are filled faster and unemployment is lower. Low mobility means unemployment and unfilled vacancies exist side by side.
Tips and tricks
- Decide which type a question is about. Moving house is geographical. Retraining is occupational.
- Governments raise mobility with training schemes, better information about vacancies, and help with housing and transport.
It lands in your notebook with its questions as flashcards.
Mobility of labour: 5 questions and answers
These are the quiz’s questions. Do the quiz first, then come back here for the ones that got you.
A steelworker loses his job and retrains as a plumber. This is an example of
He has changed occupation.
Which makes labour less geographically mobile?
Workers cannot afford to move to where the work is.
Which would increase occupational mobility?
Training gives workers the skills for different jobs.
What is a likely result of low mobility of labour?
Workers cannot get to, or do not have the skills for, the jobs that are available.
A nurse moves from one city to another to do the same job. This is
Her location has changed, not her occupation.
Quiz
5 questions
Tap an answer and you’ll see straight away whether it’s right, and why.
Worksheet
3 questions, 8 marks. Write your answers on paper, then check them.
Mobility of labour
Cambridge IGCSE Economics (9–1) 0987 · 8 marks · papermunch.org
Name ______________________________ Date ______________
Define occupational mobility of labour.[2]
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The ability of workers to move from one occupation, or type of job, to another.
Explain two reasons why a worker may be geographically immobile.[3]
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Housing in the area with jobs may be too expensive, and the worker may not want to leave family and friends or move children from their schools.
Explain how government training schemes can reduce unemployment.[3]
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They give unemployed workers new skills, which increases their occupational mobility, so they can take jobs in industries that are short of workers.
Answers: Mobility of labour
- 1. The ability of workers to move from one occupation, or type of job, to another.
- 2. Housing in the area with jobs may be too expensive, and the worker may not want to leave family and friends or move children from their schools.
- 3. They give unemployed workers new skills, which increases their occupational mobility, so they can take jobs in industries that are short of workers.