ILO: International conference on jobs and skills mismatch
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
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.
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Presentations, discussion papers, meeting reports, promotional materials, videos, fact sheets, brochures and newsletters on skills development for employment.
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Aims to deepen understanding of the labour market effects of various types of skill mismatch and how they can be best measured in different country contexts. It will include ILO research and also present the work of other partner international organizations.
High and persistent levels of unemployment together with job vacancies that remain unfilled are often attributed to mismatches between jobs and skills. However, the idea of skills mismatch does not always explain why employers are unable to fill the vacancies they have. Skills mismatches are driven by low quality education and systems, demographic change, rapid technological development, new sources of job creation and newly created forms of work organization. Regardless, skills mismatch can negatively affect labour market outcomes, workers’ productivity, competitiveness and economic growth. Consequently, due to its impact on rising unemployment, the topic is a priority for ILO tripartite constituents and directly linked to the ILO´s work on employment and its Future of Work Initiative. In this context, the ILO´s Global Product on Jobs and Skills Mismatch has been launched to undertake new research, develop new knowledge products and provide support to constituents on how they can better understand the labour market impact of various forms of skill mismatch. The Global Product will also contribute to the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda by proposing measures for both developed and developing countries to promote jobs and reduce skills mismatches, as well as to improve the quality and relevance of skills and job creation systems.
This conference is one of the major outputs of the Global Product. The conference will consider both new research on the different forms of mismatch and the measurement challenges that impact our understanding of this issue. The conference will also provide a global perspective on the topic by presenting insights from the Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America and Africa regions.
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