The research project (dissertation) refers to current conflicting developments in the social service sector in Germany (cf. Karsten 1991, Kupka 2000, Friese 2010). On the one hand occupations in social services (especially social work, care for children, care for old people and nursing care) have become more important than ever, which is expressed in an increased rate of employment, larger requirements in the job and theoretical claims for higher job qualifications and professionalism, which only can be achieved by educational reforms and academic processes (cf. Balluseck 2008, Becker 1993, Pundt 2006). On the other hand in Germany unlike in other European countries the job situation of the employees in social service occupations, which mainly are women, is often precarious and insecure. This is reflected by a high rate of part-time work and fixed-term contracts as well as in the fact that the women (and men) in social service occupations are poorly paid although they often have to deal with high occupational and emotional stress at the workplace. Therefore a high job fluctuation and a lack of career opportunities can be observed (cf. Friese/Thiessen 2003, Rabe-Kleberg 1999).  

Unfortunately the relation between these two conflicting developments in social service occupations, which can be described as professionalization and precarization, isn’t really clear. So far there has been no scientific research on that matter since these developments are only discussed separately from each other. This is why the research project (dissertation) Employment and Further Education in Social Service Occupations is planning to analyse the relation between professionalization and precarization in social service occupations more accurately. To examine this relation it is necessary to look at the employment conditions and the qualification structures of the employees in these occupations. Besides these aspects further education and training should also be considered. Especially in the context of fast-changing work requirements and knowledge as well as the high need of quality, competence and professionalism in social service occupations further education has become increasingly important (cf. Becker 2002). Unfortunately in the scientific research there is no thesis about the significance of further education and training for employees of social service occupations in the context of professionalization and precarization.

That is why the main research question of the dissertation project can be summarized as follows:

How are professionalization and precarization reflected by the employment conditions, the qualification structures and the further education and training activities of employees in social service occupations?  

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