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TASK-WARRANTED GRADUATE JOBS AND MISMATCH

FRANCIS GREEN

University College London, Institute of Education, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK

E-mail Address: francis.green@ucl.ac.uk

Corresponding author.

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and

GOLO HENSEKE

University College London, Institute of Education, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK

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https://doi.org/10.1142/S0217590821500399Cited by:1 (Source: Crossref)

Abstract

We distinguish between “task-warranted” and “task-unwarranted” graduate jobs. For both types, a degree is required but task-warranted graduate jobs involve carrying out typical graduate-level tasks. We operationalize the distinction, using representative surveys of resident Singapore workers. We find that the ongoing fast expansion of higher attainment between 2013 and 2017 was met by a similarly-strong growth in task-warranted graduate jobs. Compared with the matched graduates, the graduates in task-unwarranted graduate jobs and in non-graduate jobs both perceive lower skills utilization. There is a negative wage gap of 18% for graduates in task-unwarranted graduate jobs, and of 31% for underemployed graduates.

Keywords:

JEL Classification: J23, J24, J31

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