Supporting European policies through innovative skill mismatch research dr. Jasper van Loo September...

Supporting European policies through innovative skill mismatch research

dr. Jasper van LooSeptember 2009Decowe Conference, Ljubljana

Policy relevance of skill mismatch

Improving monitoring, assessing and anticipating as well as the matching of skills is crucial to address both the employment impact of the crisis and the long-term job prospects of the EU workforce (NSNJ 2009)

Innovative skill mismatch research Jasper van Loo

September, 2008 Decowe Conference, Ljubljana


To confront rising unemployment matching of skills must be improved. Skills mismatches in the labour market have been a growing concern in most Member States (NSNJ 2009)




Skills upgrading is critically important for Europe’s future; so too, especially today, is a better match between skills and labour market needs (NSNJ 2009)




ensuring a better long-term matching between the supply of skills and labour market demands is just as necessary, for rising unemployment calls for a better monitoring and matching of skills with available jobs, particularly through the development of concrete tools for citizens (Council conclusions, 2009)




[the council] invites the Member States and the Commission to develop the policies and services to address skills needs and labour market mismatches, including better information on skills needs in the EU in the medium and long term,… (Council conclusions, 2009)





Skill mismatch

– Refers to various types of gaps or imbalances

– Quantitative or qualitative– Not only in terms of qualifications– Impacts at multiple levels



Skill mismatch in Europe

– Pervasive– Only 21% of workers hold jobs fitting

their education, training and skills– 11% wage penalty– Stringent employment protection

legislation and regulations/institutions



Skills and skill mismatch

– More attention for skills– The problem of anchor points– Anchoring by required level allows

assessment of skill mismatches



A vision for skill mismatch research

– Considerable attention for skill mismatch in the literature

– No clear links to insights needed to support policies aimed at preventing or counteracting skill mismatch

– Cedefop’s research program on skill mismatch guided by 5 priorities



Five priorities for future research

1) improve measurement of skills and skill mismatch

2) examine the persistence of skill mismatch and its impacts

3) improve understanding of skill mismatch processes, dynamics and consequences

4) focus on skill mismatch for vulnerable groups on the labour market

5) improve data availability and use



improve measurement of skillsand skill mismatch

Problems in using attainment as skill proxy Three conceptual problems in skill

measurement and how to measure in practice Horizontal and vertical Methods to assess mismatch Is there really a matching problem?



examine the persistence of skill mismatch and its impacts

Temporary/transitory or more permanent? Most evidence relies on graduate studies Adjustment mechanisms are insufficiently

considered How can policy address skill mismatch

persistence?



improve understanding of skill mismatch processes, dynamics and consequences

How and how fast do skills become obsolete Detailed studies on engineers are from 1970’s Technical, economic and perspectivistic

obsolescence Going beyond wages in assessing skill

mismatch impacts Considering interdependencies and specifying

the competences giving rise to mismatch



focus on skill mismatch for vulnerable groups on the labour market

Focusing on vulnarable groups is crucial Young people entering the labour market Ageing workers facing obsolescence Migrants and ethnic minorities



improve data availability and use

Dynamic analysis of skill mismatch requires panel/longitudinal data

Options to gain insights in dynamics Linking different levels of analysis and

interactions Improving data availability for vulnerable

groups

Thank you for your attention

Jasper van [email protected]

Supporting European policies through innovative skill mismatch research dr. Jasper van Loo September...

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