secondary workforce

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "secondary workforce" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a group of workers who are not part of the primary or main workforce, often in contexts related to labor markets or employment structures. Example: "The company has been relying on a secondary workforce to handle seasonal demands and fluctuations in production."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Sociologist Phyllis Moen and psychologist Patricia Roehling note that our labor market depends on two workforces: the primary workforce of full-time steady work and the "secondary workforce" that is made up of positions that are considered easily replaceable and temporary, that "does not require the wages, benefits or security associated with jobs in the primary sector".

Huffington Post

Note that lack of primary and secondary workforce data might be a barrier to observing workforce trends in developing contexts.

Human Resources for Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

They are acquired through deeper learning experiences and are exactly the skills and dispositions needed for future success in post-secondary school, workforce, and in life.

Huffington Post

The voice of any one teacher must be heard, however, we need to bear in mind that this survey represents eight per cent of the secondary school teacher workforce.

BBC

VANDIX is a census-based, composite weighted index based on neighbourhood average household income, percentage of population living at one address for the previous five years, percentage of population with post-secondary and without secondary school education, workforce participation rate, and percentage of single-parent households.

BMC Cancer

The type and range of evidence precluded meta-analysis and we therefore performed a narrative synthesis, differentiating clinical outcomes (eg, mobilisation, mortality and morbidity and length of hospital stay), patient-reported outcomes (eg, patient experience and satisfaction), resource use in secondary care (eg, workforce utilisation and costs) and implementation case studies.

BMJ Open

Mass secondary education supplied the workforce of the world's most successful industrial economy in the late 19th century; mass university education did the same for the period of American economic dominance after the second world war.

The Economist

Graduation from these institutions doesn't mean that one is prepared to succeed in the workforce or secondary education.

Huffington Post

To meet the need for a highly qualified workforce, post-secondary education institutions need to put an extra effort to increase the number of qualified full-time EC faculty while continuing to improve the quality of pre-service teacher preparation programs.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

With 57 cities competing for the Talent Dividend Prize, the competition has opened up a nationwide "think tank," funneling significant time and energy into thinking about and solving challenges that many cities/regions/states face around post-secondary access, attainment, and workforce need.

Huffington Post

This would remove some of the workforce disincentives for secondary earners in couple families who have primary school-age children.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "secondary workforce", clearly define the criteria that distinguish it from the primary workforce within your specific context. This could be based on employment status, skill level, or job security.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "secondary workforce" with the "secondary sector" of the economy, which refers to manufacturing and industrial activities. The former describes a type of labor, while the latter describes a segment of the economy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "secondary workforce" functions as a noun phrase identifying a specific segment of the labor market. Ludwig examples show it describing workers with less secure and lower-paying jobs compared to the primary workforce. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "secondary workforce" is used to describe workers in less secure and lower-paying jobs compared to the primary workforce. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct. While frequently used in News & Media and Science, it's crucial to define this term precisely within the specific context. Alternatives include "contingent workforce" or "temporary staff". Ensure not to confuse "secondary workforce" with the "secondary sector" of the economy. Considering its role and characteristics, understanding "secondary workforce" provides crucial insight into labor market dynamics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contingent workforce

Refers to workers employed on a non-permanent basis, offering flexibility.

temporary staff

Focuses on the duration of employment being limited.

flexible labor pool

Emphasizes the adaptability and availability of workers.

part-time employees

Highlights the reduced hours worked compared to full-time staff.

supplemental labor

Indicates that the workforce is used to augment the primary staff.

outsourced personnel

Implies that these workers are employed by a third-party provider.

contract workers

Highlights the contractual nature of the employment arrangement.

gig economy workers

Refers to individuals who work on short-term contracts or freelance jobs.

adjunct staff

Suggests a supplementary role within an organization.

seasonal employees

Emphasizes that employment is tied to specific times of the year.

FAQs

What is a "secondary workforce"?

A "secondary workforce" typically refers to workers in positions considered easily replaceable and temporary, lacking the wages, benefits, or security of jobs in the primary sector.

How does the "secondary workforce" differ from the primary workforce?

The primary workforce usually consists of full-time, steady employees, while the "secondary workforce" is characterized by part-time, temporary, or contract-based positions.

What are some alternatives to "secondary workforce"?

Alternatives include "contingent workforce", "temporary staff", or "flexible labor pool", depending on the specific context you wish to emphasize.

In what contexts is the term "secondary workforce" commonly used?

The term is frequently used in discussions related to labor markets, employment trends, and economic analyses, particularly when examining workforce dynamics and the rise of non-traditional employment.