青年勞工係指15~29歲的年齡層,該年齡層的失業率往往高於平均失業率,而且薪資水準低於平均所得,在此情況下,青年勞工該具備那些條件才能擁有一份高薪的工作?根據經濟學原理,勞動市場的供給和需求會決定工資的多寡,然而,影響薪資水準的因素有很多,本研究將著重在社會網絡的運用以及人力資本的投資,前者係指透過特定關係求職,後者係指學歷與證照,藉此探討其對於青年勞工薪資水準的影響。採用2012年青年勞工就業狀況調查問卷,並運用OLS與Ordered Probit模型進行分析。 研究結果顯示,對於青年勞工來說,社會網絡也許是重要的尋職管道,卻不是高薪的保證,透過社會網絡取得工作的青年勞工反而不容易獲得相對高薪的工作。在人力資本方面,不論是投資在大學以上學歷或是持有證照,對於青年勞工的薪資所得都有顯著正向影響,若進一步將證照區分成專業證照和一般證照,專業證照的影響效果則大於一般證照,除此之外,在樣本都持有證照的情況下,專業證照對於青年勞工的薪資呈現顯著正相關,但大學以上學歷對於青年勞工的薪資沒有顯著影響。
Young workers aged 15 to 29 often suffer from high unemployment rate, and they usually earn lower wages than those of older workers. According to economic theories, workers’ wages are determined by the demand and supply in a free market economy, and factors affecting the level of wages are plenty. This study explores the effects of social network and human capital on the wages of young workers. The former refers to getting a job through individual relationships, and the latter refers to education and certification. Using data drawn from the Survey on the Employment Situation of Young Labor 2012, both OLS and ordered probit models are estimated in this study. The results show that social network is not a guarantee to obtain high wages, although it might be an important way for young workers to get a job. Young workers are less likely to be in high-income positions if they get their jobs though social network. In addition, education and certification produce statistically significant and positive effects on the wages of young workers, especially college degree and professional certification. We differentiate certification into professional and general, and the effect of professional certification is greater than general certification. However, for the young workers with certification, college education do not produce a significant effect on wages.