Networks in the Premodern Economy: the Market for London Apprenticeships, 1600-1749

Tim Leunig, Chris Minns and Patrick Wallis

CEP Discussion Papers from Centre for Economic Performance, LSE

Abstract: This paper examines the importance of social and geographical networks in structuring entry into skilled occupations in premodern London. Using newly digitised records of those beginning an apprenticeship in London between 1600 and 1749, we find little evidence that networks strongly shaped apprentice recruitment. The typical London apprentice did not have an identifiable connection to his master in the form of a kin link, shared name, or shared place or county of origin. The majority of migrant apprentices' fathers came from outside of the craft sector. Our results suggest that the market for apprenticeship was strikingly open: well-to-do families of all types were able to access a wide range of craft and trade apprenticeships, and would-be apprentices had considerable scope to match their perceived ability and aptitude to opportunity.

Keywords: Apprenticeship; human capital formation; training; migration; networks; UK; early modern (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J2 J6 N3 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2009-11
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-his, nep-mig and nep-ure
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Networks in the Premodern Economy: The Market for London Apprenticeships, 1600–1749 (2011)
Working Paper: Networks in the premodern economy: the market for London apprenticeships, 1600-1749 (2009)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cep:cepdps:dp0956

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