No qualifications, no job

There are fewer jobs for unskilled people in Britain than before. Only about two-thirds of men without qualifications have jobs. Some of the unskilled jobs available are working in restaurants, in supermarkets filling shelves or as a checkout operator, or cleaning. If there is any unskilled work, it is offered to women because, despite laws for equal pay, women are still paid less than men. Even job seekers with qualifications sometimes find it difficult to find permanent, full-time work.

a  What job would you like to do when you leave school?

b  What qualifications do you need to do the job?

Michael Vaughan-Rees, Geraldine Sweeney, Picot Cassidy: In Britain. 21st Century Edition, Cornelsen Verlag, 2000, page 40