Does working while studying affect education mismatch among youth? Evidence from Zambia
International Journal of Manpower
ISSN: 0143-7720
Article publication date: 2 June 2022
Issue publication date: 9 November 2023
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to study the relationship between working while studying in college/university and education mismatch among employed youth in the Zambian labour market.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses data from the 2014 School-to-Work Transition Survey and a multinomial logit model to examine three education-mismatch categories: undereducated, matched and overeducated. The paper also examines heterogeneities by education level and gender and uses empirical and subjective approaches of education mismatch.
Findings
The evidence shows that employed youth who worked while studying have a higher likelihood of having well-matched jobs. The subgroup analysis by education level reveals no significant relationship between working while studying among employed youth with higher education (secondary and above). However, employed youth with lower education (primary and lower) are less likely to be mismatched for the job. The linkage between the education system and the labour market needs to be strengthened to support a smoother school-to-work transition for youth. Additional support to enable exposure to the right type of work during youth's college or university studies could increase job match and reduce labour market inefficiencies.
Originality/value
The paper provides insights into a significant challenge faced by youth in developing countries, i.e. finding a suitable job for youth's level of education.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research work was carried out with financial and scientific support from the Partnership for Economic Policy (PEP) (www.pep-net.org) with funding from the Department for International Development (DFID) of the United Kingdom (or UK Aid) and the Government of Canada through the International Development Research Center (IDRC). The authors are also grateful to Luca Tiberti, Bruno Larue, Dia Bernadette Kamonja, Dileni Gunewardena, Guy Lacroix, Jorge Davalos, Marcelo Bernolo, Marjorie Allan and Michael Murigi. The authors thank the Guest Editor Prof. Francesco Pastore and three anonymous reviewers for valuable comments and suggestions that helped to improve the paper. However, the responsibility for any errors remains only for the authors.
Citation
Chama-Chiliba, C.M., Chewe, M., Chileshe, K., Hazele, H.C. and Araar, A. (2023), "Does working while studying affect education mismatch among youth? Evidence from Zambia", International Journal of Manpower, Vol. 44 No. 6, pp. 1071-1095. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJM-04-2021-0213
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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