A regional employment survey collected the information in Table 1 about two jobs.
| Measure | Water-treatment process technicians | Food-production packers |
|---|---|---|
| Average pay per hour | £22 | £13 |
| Jobs advertised each year | 240 | 800 |
| People qualified for the job looking for work each year | 100 | 3,200 |
| Training before starting work | 2½-year apprenticeship | 1-week induction |
The regional water company is funding extra apprenticeships. Once the first trainees finish, these are expected to add 180 qualified people looking for technician jobs each year. The number of technician jobs advertised each year is expected to stay the same.
Analyse whether the extra apprenticeships are likely to narrow the gap in hourly pay between the two jobs. Refer to the data in Table 1 in your answer.
149 exam-style questions on AQA GCSE Economics 1.5 Competitive and concentrated markets, covering 1.5.1a The range of market structures, 1.5.1b Distinguishing between market structures, 1.5.2a Characteristics of a competitive market, 1.5.2b How producers operate in competitive markets, 1.5.2c The economic impact of competition, 1.5.3a Characteristics of a non-competitive market, 1.5.3b How producers operate in non-competitive markets, 1.5.3c Monopoly and oligopoly, 1.5.4a The labour market and wage determination, and 1.5.4b Gross and net pay. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.