Quality of Employment:

Throughout this research we refer to high-quality jobs and low- quality jobs within the paid workforce. In general, the more well-paid, secure and interesting a job is, and the better its benefits, workplace conditions, opportunities for upward or lateral mobility, and future prospects, the higher is its quality. Correspondingly, jobs which are poorly-paid, insecure, with few benefits, vulnerable to disappearance as a result of technological change and/or with few opportunities for further training, education or general improvement in working conditions are of low quality.

Policy:

Policy is procedure guidelines for action. Policy is derived from the concepts and values encompassed in principles. It informs the development of program or strategy.

Access:

Access is simply, the way in. With respect to this study, access issues are typically related to the removal of barriers to equality with respect to educational and economic opportunities.

Privatization:

Privatization refers to the movement of activities or programs into the realm of the private sector that is, primarily business and industry. Some definitions of the private sector, for instance that used by the government of Canada, include voluntary and non-profit organizations in the private sector. Voluntary organizations themselves, however, usually see themselves as part of a third sector of not-for- profit economic activity.

Privatization is a process. Activities may be completely or partially privatized. Privatization may be a cost-saving measure, involving the exchange of decision-making power for a reduction in financial support; and/or it may reflect a value position which holds that the private sector ought to be responsible for certain types of activities.

Outcomes:

Outcomes are results. They may be anticipated or unanticipated, visible or invisible, and they may occur at any point in a program or process. The problems of identifying possible outcomes, being aware of when they may occur, and measuring their impact are the essence of evaluation.