Alexandra M. de Pleijt|Jacob Weisdorf
Human capital formation from occupations: the ‘deskilling hypothesis’ revisited
Utrecht University|University of Southern Denmark
use hisclass code occupational titles 30000 english male workers according skill content work track evolution sampled working skills across three centuries english history 1550 1850 observe modest rise share highquality workmen deemed necessary mokyr others facilitate industrial revolution including machine erectors operators also find remarkable growth share unskilled workers rising 20 late sixteenth century nearly 40 early nineteenth century caused mainly falling shares semiskilled bluecollar workers close inspection occupational structures within main sectors production suggests deskilling occurred agriculture industry alike prompted land concentration agriculture workshoptofactory changes industry