Gender patterns for aspirations
for transitional employment and
training and development
in local government
Hitendra Pillay
Learning and Professional Studies, Queensland University of Technology,
Brisbane, Australia
Megan Tones
Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia, and
Kathy Kelly
Local Government Association of Queensland Inc., Brisbane, Australia
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine the patterns of transitional employment (TE)
aspirations and training and development (T&D) needs of women within local government.
Design/methodology/approach – A quantitative survey methodology was used to identify
aspirations in a sample of 1,068 employees from the Australian Local Government Association.
Findings – Mature-aged women were very interested in continuous learning at work despite their
limited formal education. Their training preferences consisted of informal delivery face-to-face or online
in the areas of management or administration. Younger women were interested in undertaking
university courses, while a minority were interested in blue collar occupations.
Practical implications – Through the identification of patterns of TE and T&D aspirations, long
term strategies to develop and retain women in local government may be developed. Findings suggest
that mature-aged women would benefit from additional T&D to facilitate entry into management and
senior administration positions, as well as strategies to facilitate a shift in organizational climate.
Social implications – Mature-aged women were found to be a potentially untapped resource for
management and senior administrative roles owing to their interest in developing skills in these fields
and pursuing TE. Younger women may also benefit from T&D to maintain their capacity during breaks
from employment. Encouragement of women in non-traditional areas may also address skill shortages
in the local government.
Originality/value – Mature-aged women were found to be a potentially untapped resource for
management and senior administrative roles owing to their interest in developing skills in these fields
and pursuing TE. Younger women may also benefit from T&D to maintain their capacity during breaks
from employment. Encouragement of women in non-traditional areas may also address skill shortages in
the local government.
Keywords Employment, Women, Local government, Training, Australia
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Global demographic trends depict an ageing population in response to increased
longevity and declining birth rates. According to the Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development (OECD) (2006), average in terms of population projection,
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
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Transitional
employment
367
Gender in Management: An
International Journal
Vol. 26 No. 5, 2011
pp. 367-379
q Emerald Group Publishing Limited
1754-2413
DOI 10.1108/17542411111154903