Scottish Centre for China Research

When: Wednesday 26 November 2025 at 4–5.30pm 

Where: Board Room, 29 Bute Gardens, University of Glasgow and online with registration here. 

 

Abstract: 

Over the past two decades the growth in precarious ‘gig’ workers - those in insecure employment - has made them an integral part of the workforce in most countries. Whilst the rise in gig work has been viewed as a panacea for youth unemployment by offering much-needed opportunities to young people, it has also been associated with a degradation of the skills training process. In China, young people tend to be caught in a ‘precariousness trap’, remaining in jobs which do not offer them opportunities for professional development that could contribute to a positive transition. But there is a research, and consequent policy, deficit on how young precarious workers access and experience training. This study aims to fill that research gap and to develop policy recommendations for improving training accessibility and provision for these workers, which in turn would improve their lives, and the economic contribution they can make.
This study employs a skills ecosystem perspective (Ramsarup at al., 2023) to capture the issues of relationality, in terms of VET networks and connections between individuals and institutions. With a strong Global South focus, the project looks specifically into informal economies and significant contradictions that exist between skill policies and their implementation (Ramsarup at al., 2023). Data is collected by interviews with young precarious workers engaged in the selected programmes, and semi-structured interviews with training providers and policymakers. The project provides insights on the ways in which precarious employment marginalises young people in terms of accessing and experiencing training and impacts the institutional arrangements for training.

Short Bio: Dr Geng Wang is a lecturer at the School of Education, University of Glasgow. Her research interests revolve around the sociology of adult education and vocational education, i.e. the "bigger picture" of skill formation.