Edinburgh Napier University

  The primary objective of this research was to investigate the potential benefits and barriers associated with the delivery of job search services for job seekers through the use of ICT-based systems. Policies are increasingly required to address the 'digital divide' affecting unemployed job seekers and other disadvantaged groups in rural labour markets. New Information and Communications Technology (ICT), particularly the Internet, have been identified as potentially offering an effective means of providing information for job seekers in rural areas, where public services 'on the ground' are often under-developed. The Employment Service has already introduced telephone and Internet-based services, and has indicated that ICT-based provision will play an increasingly important role in disseminating information and advice to sponsors. However, studies of ICT access and usage suggest that there is a 'digital divide,' with disadvantaged groups less likely to have access to the skills and hardware required to fully exploit the opportunities offered by new technologies. Initial results from research carried out by the Employment Research Institute at Napier University suggest that while ICT-based services are already proving useful for some job seekers, others are 'disconnected' from even the most basic forms of modern communications (e.g. telephone access). This project will build upon recent research carried out in two areas of Scotland (one a remote rural area with high unemployment, the other a semi-rural, centrally located labour market with below average unemployment).