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Productivity

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productivity
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188

Workforce skills and innovation: An overview of major themes in the literature

Workforce skills and innovation: An overview of major themes in the literature

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Document
Content Type:
Workforce skills and innovation: An overview of major themes in the literature
Language:

English

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english
Identifier
skpEng
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Information is gathered from other international organizations that promote skills development and the transition from education and training to work. The Interagency Group on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (IAG-TVET) was established in 2009 to share research findings, coordinate joint research endeavours, and improve collaboration among organizations working at the international and national levels.

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skpIntOrg
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international-organizations
Topics:

Other topic

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Identifier
skpOIssue
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other-topic
Knowledge Products:

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. 

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Identifier
skpRPS
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research-papers
Publication Date:
15 Jul 2013
Open
wcmstest4_055846.pdf
This paper provides an account of the main approaches, debates and evidence in the literature on the role of workforce skills in the innovation process in developed economies. It draws on multiple sources including the innovation studies discipline, neoclassical Human Capital theory, institutionalist labour market studies and the work organisation discipline. Extensive use is also made of official survey data to describe and quantify the diversity of skills and occupations involved in specific types of innovation activities.
Subject Tags:

Productivity

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productivity
Identifier
188

Survey

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survey
Identifier
611
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Research brief: Job skills: Lessons from recent World Bank flagship studies

Research brief: Job skills: Lessons from recent World Bank flagship studies

Type:
Document
Content Type:
Research brief: Job skills: Lessons from recent World Bank flagship studies
Language:

English

Slug
english
Identifier
skpEng
Sources:

Information is gathered from other international organizations that promote skills development and the transition from education and training to work. The Interagency Group on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (IAG-TVET) was established in 2009 to share research findings, coordinate joint research endeavours, and improve collaboration among organizations working at the international and national levels.

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Identifier
skpIntOrg
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international-organizations
Topics:

Training quality and relevance

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Identifier
skpTrainQR
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training-quality-and-relevance
Knowledge Products:

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. 

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Identifier
skpRPS
Slug
research-papers
Publication Date:
12 Jul 2013
Open
wcmstest4_055646.pdf
Countries in all regions of the developing world are asking for advice and support on how to make their labor force more employable and productive. Skills development is part of the answer. Finding the right answer requires a clear identification of skills gaps and entry points to build them—from investments in foundational skills early in life to technical skills acquired on-the job. Labor market institutions and policies create incentives that influence both supply and demand for skills. Policies for skills development must consider carefully the right role for the state— one that responds both to market and government failures. This brief reviews key messages emerging from recent World Bank flagship studies.
Subject Tags:

Employability

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employability
Identifier
643

Productivity

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productivity
Identifier
188

Skills mismatch

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skills-mismatch
Identifier
654
Regions:

More than just jobs: Workforce development in a skills-based economy

More than just jobs: Workforce development in a skills-based economy

Type:
Document
Content Type:
More than just jobs: Workforce development in a skills-based economy
Language:

English

Slug
english
Identifier
skpEng
Sources:

Information is gathered from other international organizations that promote skills development and the transition from education and training to work. The Interagency Group on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (IAG-TVET) was established in 2009 to share research findings, coordinate joint research endeavours, and improve collaboration among organizations working at the international and national levels.

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Identifier
skpIntOrg
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international-organizations
Topics:

Lifelong learning

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There is a critical need for a greater overall investment in education and training, particularly in developing countries. Education and training investments should be closely linked to economic and employment growth strategies and programmes. Responsibility should be shared between the government (primary responsibility), enterprises, the social partners, and the individual. To make lifelong learning for all a reality, countries will need to make major reforms of their vocational and education and training systems. School-to-work schemes for young people should integrate education with workplace learning. Training systems need to become more flexible and responsive to rapidly changing skill requirements. Reforms should also focus on how learning can be facilitated, not just on training for specific occupational categories.

Identifier
skpPSLLL
Slug
lifelong-learning
Knowledge Products:

Case studies and good practices

Case studies that document good practices and illustrate the benefits and lessons learnt of particular approaches or methods in real practice. 

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Identifier
skpCaseStdy
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case-studies-and-good-practices

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. 

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Identifier
skpRPS
Slug
research-papers
Publication Date:
11 Jul 2013
Open
wcmstest4_055450.pdf
"Job placement" has been the traditional goal of labour and employment policies, but this report argues otherwise. To stay competitive in a globalised economy, governments must also strive to enhance the skills of workers, increase their productivity and provide upward mobility to immigrants and the disadvantaged. This report provides valuable insights into how labour policies can be expanded to meet economic development and social cohesion goals, while also reconciling national and local concerns. Studies from seven OECD countries are presented (Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States), each analysing attempts to expand workforce development policies and bridge the gap between national and local initiatives. Included are various types of government/private sector partnerships in the United States, regional training in France and Australia’s efforts to customise policies to local needs. Based on the country studies, the report then makes specific recommendations and suggestions on how workforce development policies can be expanded and improved.
Subject Tags:

Gender equality

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gender-equality
Identifier
144

Human resources development

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human-resources-development
Identifier
118

Productivity

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productivity
Identifier
188

Skills upgrading

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skills-upgrading
Identifier
657
Regions:

Americas

Region Image
Countries and territories:

Boosting productivity in Australia

Boosting productivity in Australia

Type:
Document
Content Type:
Boosting productivity in Australia
Language:

English

Slug
english
Identifier
skpEng
Sources:

Information is gathered from other international organizations that promote skills development and the transition from education and training to work. The Interagency Group on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (IAG-TVET) was established in 2009 to share research findings, coordinate joint research endeavours, and improve collaboration among organizations working at the international and national levels.

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Identifier
skpIntOrg
Slug
international-organizations
Topics:

Training quality and relevance

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Identifier
skpTrainQR
Slug
training-quality-and-relevance
Knowledge Products:

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. 

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Identifier
skpRPS
Slug
research-papers
Publication Date:
10 Jul 2013
Open
wcmstest4_055245.pdf
OECD Economics Department Working Papers, No. 1025 Shows that Australia's productivity growth has decelerated markedly around the turn of the century, and that part of the decline is probably temporary, but raising multifactor productivity is key to ensure that living standards continue to grow strongly, especially if the currently strong terms of trade weaken over time. Argues that ensuring responsive, high quality, vocational and higher education systems is indispensable to long-term growth. Argues also that raising the completion rate of vocational students, and enhancing the level of collaboration among the key innovation players are priorities. Demonstrates that the productivity enhancing effects of infrastructure could be boosted by more effective and strategic planning, new sources of funding, and better use of existing capacity.
Subject Tags:

Productivity

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productivity
Identifier
188

Vocational training

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vocational-training
Identifier
124
Regions:
Countries and territories:

Policy Brief: Skills for inclusive and sustainable growth in developing Asia and the Pacific

Policy Brief: Skills for inclusive and sustainable growth in developing Asia and the Pacific

Type:
Document
Content Type:
Policy Brief: Skills for inclusive and sustainable growth in developing Asia and the Pacific
Language:

English

Slug
english
Identifier
skpEng
Sources:

Other sources

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.

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Identifier
skpOSource
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other-sources
Topics:

Training quality and relevance

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Identifier
skpTrainQR
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training-quality-and-relevance
Knowledge Products:

Policy and strategy

Recommendations and advice on resolving policy challenges related to skills development systems and their linkages to the world of work.  Concise syntheses of experience from the international organizations.

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Identifier
skpPolOp
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policy-and-strategy
Publication Date:
01 Jul 2013
Open
wcmstest4_053449.pdf
This policy brief focuses on the issues of strengthening skills development systems and technical and vocational education and training (TVET), particularly in the context of advancing inclusive growth and increasing employment.
Subject Tags:

Productivity

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productivity
Identifier
188

Skills mismatch

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skills-mismatch
Identifier
654

TVET systems

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tvet-systems
Identifier
661
Regions:

Clusters, innovation and entrepreneurship

Clusters, innovation and entrepreneurship

Type:
Document
Content Type:
Clusters, innovation and entrepreneurship
Language:

English

Slug
english
Identifier
skpEng
Sources:

Information is gathered from other international organizations that promote skills development and the transition from education and training to work. The Interagency Group on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (IAG-TVET) was established in 2009 to share research findings, coordinate joint research endeavours, and improve collaboration among organizations working at the international and national levels.

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Identifier
skpIntOrg
Slug
international-organizations
Topics:

Other topic

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Identifier
skpOIssue
Slug
other-topic
Knowledge Products:

Case studies and good practices

Case studies that document good practices and illustrate the benefits and lessons learnt of particular approaches or methods in real practice. 

Thumbnail
Identifier
skpCaseStdy
Slug
case-studies-and-good-practices

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. 

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Identifier
skpRPS
Slug
research-papers
Publication Date:
11 Jul 2013
Open
wcmstest4_055451.pdf
The book examines policy approaches and policy recommendations for cluster development based on the in-depth analysis of seven internationally reputed clusters in the OECD area, namely Grenoble in France, Vienna in Austria, Waterloo in Canada, Dunedin in New Zealand, Medicon Valley in Scandinavia, Oxfordshire in the United Kingdom, and Madison, Wisconsin, in the United States. It shows the importance to cluster growth of cooperation, research commercialisation, human capital and skills enhancement, public sector commitment, partnerships and leadership, quality of life and social capital. Key messages include the importance of encouraging new firm creation, stimulating innovation, co-ordinating polices, enhancing skills, facilitating access to finance and addressing congestion and social divisions.

This publication is essential reading for policy makers, practitioners and academics wishing to obtain good practices in cluster development and guidance on how to enhance the economic impact of clusters.
Subject Tags:

Enterprises

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enterprises
Identifier
175

Entrepreneurship

Slug
entrepreneurship
Identifier
182

Productivity

Slug
productivity
Identifier
188
Regions:
Countries and territories:

Challenging the myths about learning and training in small and medium-sized enterprises: Implications for public policy?

Challenging the myths about learning and training in small and medium-sized enterprises: Implications for public policy?

Type:
Document
Content Type:
Challenging the myths about learning and training in small and medium-sized enterprises: Implications for public policy?
Language:

English

Slug
english
Identifier
skpEng
Sources:

ILO

The International Labour Organization is the tripartite U.N. agency that promotes Decent Work through employment, social security, labour standards and social dialogue. Its work on skills development is guided by the conceptual framework on Skills to improve productivity, employment growth, and development agreed in 2008 by representatives of Governments, Employers’ Associations and Workers’ Associations. Research, policy advice, and pilot projects and technical cooperation programmes to apply good practices in different circumstances across its 185 member States aims to boost the employability of workers, the productivity and competitiveness of enterprises, and the inclusiveness of economic growth. The ILO Secretariat in offices in 40 countries works with Ministries of Labour, employers’ organizations, and trade unions to integrate skills development into national and sector development strategies in order to better meet current labour market needs and to prepare for the jobs of the future; to expand access to employment-related training so that youth, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups are better able to acquire skills and secure productive and decent work; and to improve the ability of public employment services to provide career guidance, maintain labour exchange services, and deliver active labour market programmes.For more information regarding the ILO’s work on skills and employability go to: http://www.ilo.org/skills/lang--en/index.htm; for ILO/Cinterfor's Knowledge Management Plarform, see: http://www.oitcinterfor.org

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Identifier
skpILO
Slug
ilo
Topics:

Lifelong learning

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There is a critical need for a greater overall investment in education and training, particularly in developing countries. Education and training investments should be closely linked to economic and employment growth strategies and programmes. Responsibility should be shared between the government (primary responsibility), enterprises, the social partners, and the individual. To make lifelong learning for all a reality, countries will need to make major reforms of their vocational and education and training systems. School-to-work schemes for young people should integrate education with workplace learning. Training systems need to become more flexible and responsive to rapidly changing skill requirements. Reforms should also focus on how learning can be facilitated, not just on training for specific occupational categories.

Identifier
skpPSLLL
Slug
lifelong-learning
Knowledge Products:

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. 

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Identifier
skpRPS
Slug
research-papers
Publication Date:
13 May 2013
Open
wcmstest4_045439.pdf
The paper looks at the issue of workplace learning in the context of small and medium-sized enterprises. It aims to challenge some of the “myths” that exist about leaning and training in these types of enterprises drawing examples primarily from policies and programmes in industrialized and transition countries.
Subject Tags:

Economic recovery

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economic-recovery
Identifier
667

Enterprises

Slug
enterprises
Identifier
175

Productivity

Slug
productivity
Identifier
188

Vocational training

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vocational-training
Identifier
124
Regions:

Recognizing ability: The skills and productivity of persons with disabilities: Literature review

Recognizing ability: The skills and productivity of persons with disabilities: Literature review

Type:
Document
Content Type:
Recognizing ability: The skills and productivity of persons with disabilities: Literature review
Language:

English

Slug
english
Identifier
skpEng
Sources:

ILO

The International Labour Organization is the tripartite U.N. agency that promotes Decent Work through employment, social security, labour standards and social dialogue. Its work on skills development is guided by the conceptual framework on Skills to improve productivity, employment growth, and development agreed in 2008 by representatives of Governments, Employers’ Associations and Workers’ Associations. Research, policy advice, and pilot projects and technical cooperation programmes to apply good practices in different circumstances across its 185 member States aims to boost the employability of workers, the productivity and competitiveness of enterprises, and the inclusiveness of economic growth. The ILO Secretariat in offices in 40 countries works with Ministries of Labour, employers’ organizations, and trade unions to integrate skills development into national and sector development strategies in order to better meet current labour market needs and to prepare for the jobs of the future; to expand access to employment-related training so that youth, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups are better able to acquire skills and secure productive and decent work; and to improve the ability of public employment services to provide career guidance, maintain labour exchange services, and deliver active labour market programmes.For more information regarding the ILO’s work on skills and employability go to: http://www.ilo.org/skills/lang--en/index.htm; for ILO/Cinterfor's Knowledge Management Plarform, see: http://www.oitcinterfor.org

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Identifier
skpILO
Slug
ilo
Topics:

People with disabilities

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Of an estimated 1 billion people with disabilities in the world today, some 785 million are of working age. While many are successfully employed and fully integrated into society, most face a disproportionate level of poverty and unemployment. This is a massive loss both to them and their countries. A strategy of including people with disabilities in training and employment promotion policies, combined with targeted supports to ensure their participation, can help disabled persons obtain productive mainstream employment.

Identifier
skpPeoDis
Slug
people-with-disabilities
Knowledge Products:

Case studies and good practices

Case studies that document good practices and illustrate the benefits and lessons learnt of particular approaches or methods in real practice. 

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Identifier
skpCaseStdy
Slug
case-studies-and-good-practices

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. 

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Identifier
skpRPS
Slug
research-papers
Publication Date:
13 May 2013
Open
wcmstest4_045436.pdf
Employment Working Paper No. 3 This working paper reviews the available evidence connecting the employment and economic status of disabled persons with their skills and productivity. It examines skills development strategies and their effect on employment, income-generation and productivity in both the formal and informal sectors in developed and developing countries. It also considers the impact of policies and practices designed to assist disabled people to achieve their productivity potential at work, including workplace accommodations and teleworking. The study includes a number of illustrative case studies. It concludes with key policy messages which emerge from the literature review.
Subject Tags:

Economic and social rights

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economic-and-social-rights
Identifier
264

Productivity

Slug
productivity
Identifier
188

Vocational training

Slug
vocational-training
Identifier
124
Regions:

Skills development for industrial clusters: A preliminary review

Skills development for industrial clusters: A preliminary review

Type:
Document
Content Type:
Skills development for industrial clusters: A preliminary review
Language:

English

Slug
english
Identifier
skpEng
Sources:

ILO

The International Labour Organization is the tripartite U.N. agency that promotes Decent Work through employment, social security, labour standards and social dialogue. Its work on skills development is guided by the conceptual framework on Skills to improve productivity, employment growth, and development agreed in 2008 by representatives of Governments, Employers’ Associations and Workers’ Associations. Research, policy advice, and pilot projects and technical cooperation programmes to apply good practices in different circumstances across its 185 member States aims to boost the employability of workers, the productivity and competitiveness of enterprises, and the inclusiveness of economic growth. The ILO Secretariat in offices in 40 countries works with Ministries of Labour, employers’ organizations, and trade unions to integrate skills development into national and sector development strategies in order to better meet current labour market needs and to prepare for the jobs of the future; to expand access to employment-related training so that youth, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups are better able to acquire skills and secure productive and decent work; and to improve the ability of public employment services to provide career guidance, maintain labour exchange services, and deliver active labour market programmes.For more information regarding the ILO’s work on skills and employability go to: http://www.ilo.org/skills/lang--en/index.htm; for ILO/Cinterfor's Knowledge Management Plarform, see: http://www.oitcinterfor.org

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Identifier
skpILO
Slug
ilo
Topics:

Other topic

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Identifier
skpOIssue
Slug
other-topic
Knowledge Products:

Case studies and good practices

Case studies that document good practices and illustrate the benefits and lessons learnt of particular approaches or methods in real practice. 

Thumbnail
Identifier
skpCaseStdy
Slug
case-studies-and-good-practices

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. 

Thumbnail
Identifier
skpRPS
Slug
research-papers
Publication Date:
13 May 2013
Open
wcmstest4_045435.pdf
Employment Working Paper No. 8 The current paper provides a basic conceptual framework for understanding the role of skills in cluster development. The framework was developed by analyzing the skills aspect of a number of well-researched cluster case studies (knitwear in India, surgical instruments in Pakistan, shoes in Brazil, fishing in Kenya and garment in South Africa).

The study highlights the significant role of skills in cluster development, both as a precondition for cluster emergence and as a catalyst for developing a skilled workforce and generating knowledge spillovers. A variety of approaches to skills upgrading are presented and the paper argues that different types of clusters benefit from different skills interventions. Appropriate interventions can range from strengthening the public training system in supplying technical skills, consolidating local apprenticeship, establishing cluster-specific training centres based on public-private partnerships, providing basic and strategic management skills, promoting research and links with academia, and encouraging specific training to promote compliance with international standards (e.g. health and safety, child labour, environment).

The findings of this paper also indicate that the enhancement of technical training needs to be combined with the broader technological improvement of local enterprises, particularly in underperforming clusters. In this regard, the paper stresses that skills development interventions must be implemented hand-in-hand with efforts for product and process upgrading, thus increasing the demand for higher skills (e.g. by promoting linkages with quality markets). The paper argues that cluster development can support economic and social development and that skills development is a key ingredient in achieving those twin objectives.
Subject Tags:

Enterprises

Slug
enterprises
Identifier
175

Productivity

Slug
productivity
Identifier
188

Skills upgrading

Slug
skills-upgrading
Identifier
657

Vocational training

Slug
vocational-training
Identifier
124
Regions:

Africa

Region Image

Americas

Region Image
Countries and territories:

Promoting safe working through quality apprenticeship: The challenge of SMEs (presentation)

Promoting safe working through quality apprenticeship: The challenge of SMEs (presentation)

Type:
Document
Content Type:
Promoting safe working through quality apprenticeship: The challenge of SMEs (presentation)
Language:

English

Slug
english
Identifier
skpEng
Sources:

Academic institutions

Research papers, synthesis reports, country and programme studies are collected from many academic institutions and national, regional and international professional associations.

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Identifier
skpAcaInst
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academic-institutions
Topics:

Participation of employers' and workers' organizations

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The world of learning and the world of work are separate but linked. While one involves learning, the other produces goods and services. Neither can thrive without the other. Strong partnerships between government, employers and workers help ensure the relevance of training to the changing needs of enterprises and labour markets. 

Identifier
skpPSP
Slug
participation-of-employers-and-workers-organizations
Knowledge Products:

Promotional material

Presentations, discussion papers, meeting reports, promotional materials, videos, fact sheets, brochures and newsletters on skills development for employment.

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Identifier
skpAIM
Slug
promotional-material
Publication Date:
10 May 2013
Open
wcmstest4_045036.pdf
Presented at the international research conference 'Improving working conditions in small and medium enterprises', Geneva, May 2013.
Subject Tags:

Enterprises

Slug
enterprises
Identifier
175

Productivity

Slug
productivity
Identifier
188
Regions:
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