Delivering job search services in rural labour markets: the role of ICT

ICT, JOB SEEKING AND THE ‘RURAL TECHNOLOGY GAP’

Abstract

Policy makers and service providers have increasingly come to view information and
communication technologies (ICT), and particularly the Internet, as an important tool in
providing disadvantaged groups and areas with access to information, services and
markets that would otherwise be inaccessible. It has also been argued that the Internet
has the capacity to facilitate social networking between and within communities. This
paper examines the current and potential role of ICT as a tool for providing job search
services and social networking opportunities for unemployed people in rural labour
markets. Drawing on the results of a survey of 489 registered unemployed people in two
rural areas in Scotland (one a very remote rural labour market, the other peri-urban) the
paper discusses the job search methods deployed by individuals and their attitudes
towards, and experience of using ICT. It finds that, despite the promotion of ICT by the
UK government’s Jobcentre Plus agency, telephone and Internet-based services play only
a marginal role in job seeking activities. More disadvantaged job seekers, in terms of
income and educational attainment, were also less likely to have used the Internet to look
for work. However, the higher proportion of those in very remote areas using on-line
services implies that ICT-based provision has the potential to become a valuable job
search tools in these communities. The paper argues for the further development of ICT-
based services, but emphasises the need for support to be provided by community
technology centres and formal services ‘on the ground’ in rural areas.

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