Executive summary: Skills mismatch in science technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) - Research report
Experts from many international, regional and national agencies generously share their views, experiences and findings on skills, helping policy-makers among other stakeholders to understand the linkages between education, training and the world of work, and how to integrate skills into national development planning to promote employment and economic growth.
Anticipating and matching skills needs
Anticipating and building skills for the future is essential to a rapidly changing labour market. This applies to changes in the types and levels of skills needed as well as in occupational and technical areas. Effective methods to anticipate future skills needs and avoid potential mismatches include: sustained dialogue between employers and trainers, coordination across government institutions, labour market information systems, employment services and performance reviews of training institutions.
Research papers
Working papers, reports, and other publications from international organizations, academic institutions and bilateral agencies. Research findings to stimulate informed debate on skills, employment and productivity issues.
The European Commission currently reports 2 million job vacancies in the Euro zone, with 22.8% of young people unemployed. Decision makers and employers have increasingly pointed to the issue of skills mismatch, which is repeatedly used to explain a shortage of skilled applicants on the labour market.
In 2012, ThinkYoung decided to address this issue by conducting a pan-European study on skills mismatch, which concluded that there existed a very strong cultural divide between young Europeans and employers, both in the definition and perception of the skills needed.
This short review summarises the key findings of an updated study on skills mismatch, carried out in summer 2014, and which focuses on the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) sector.
Computer services industry
Engineering
School-to-work transition
Skills anticipation
Europe and Central Asia
