Beyond Initial Boundaries: Two Decades of Polish Young Adult Migrants’ Labour Market Positionalities in the UK Post-EU Enlargement

StatusVoR
Alternative title
Authors
Czeranowska, Olga
Grabowska, Izabela
Wermińska-Wiśnicka, Iga
Monograph
Monograph (alternative title)
Date
2025-04-07
Publisher
Journal title
Studia Migracyjne – Przegląd Polonijny
Issue
2(196)
Volume
Pages
Pages
7-29
ISSN
2081-4488
ISSN of series
Access date
2025-04-07
Abstract PL
Abstract EN
Since the 2004 European Union enlargement, the United Kingdom has seen a significant influx of Polish migrants, many of whom initially found employment in low-skilled roles due to their immediate availability and low entry barriers. This study explores the career changes of young adult Polish migrants in the UK over the past two decades. Using data from British public statistics – the Annual Population Survey (APS) and in-depth interviews – we comprehensively analyse their labour market positionalities in the UK. Our findings reveal a shift from initial deskilling and confinement to the secondary labour market to diverse, upwardly mobile career changes. This study emphasises the critical role of practical skills, work ethics, experience, and social networks in migrants’ professional development. This research contributes to the broader discourse on post-EU enlargement of Central and Eastern European migration, providing a nuanced understanding of young adult Polish migrants’ labour market experiences in the UK.
Abstract other
Keywords PL
Keywords EN
Polish young adult migrants
UK labour market
May 2004 EU enlargement
labour market positionalities
career changes
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cc-by
Except as otherwise noted, this item is licensed under the Attribution licence | Permitted use of copyrighted works
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CEEYouth: The comparative study of young migrants from Poland and Lithuania in the context of Brexit
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