CHANGES IN THE DISTRIBUTION WORK FORCE

Last year we published an article (RDM, May 1973) by these same authors which described how they approached their commission from the DITB to undertake a study of the manpower situation in distribution, in order to assist the Board in its policies. Now the main results of the survey have been published by the DITB (sec page 50), and it has provided a wealth of material which is being used by the DITB in planning its training policy. It also offers a sound basis for detailed analysis of distributive manpower. In this article the authors do not attempt to cover the whole range of information on employment, occupations, labour turnover and training. Rather than that, they examine specifically what changes have taken place and are currently going on in the sphere of employment in distribution, particularly in relation to women, part‐timers, and young people. In addition they look at the possible impact of two pieces of legislation — the Raising of the School Leaving Age (ROSLA) and the Equal Pay Act. They refer to several sources, as the DITB survey itself gives a picture of only one point in time. Further articles will draw together other findings relating to labour turnover, recruitment, and aspects of training.