Details
- Publication date
- 31 October 2008
- Authors
- Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture | European Expert Network on Economics of Education (EENEE)
- Geographical scope
- European Union
- Level of education focus
- Adult education
- Early childhood education and care (ECEC)
- Higher education
- Non-formal and informal learning
- School education
- Vocational education and training (VET)
- Thematic areas covered
- Education-to-work transitions, education and labour market
- Educational attainment and participation in education
- Educational effectiveness and efficiency
- Governance of education
- Investment in education, economic impact of education
- Lifelong learning
- Monitoring and quality assurance
- Quality and inclusive education for all
- Skills development
- Teachers and trainers
- Whole-school and whole-system approaches and partnerships in education
Description
The report examines how demographic shifts, educational upgrading, and technological progress are changing the structure of labour markets across Europe. It focuses on the role of skill-biased technological and organizational changes, as well as globalization, in driving increasing demand for high-skilled workers. Consequences such as job polarization, wage inequality, and skill mismatches are discussed, emphasizing the complexity of linking formal education to labour market success.
The analysis critiques traditional skill forecasting methods and recommends more responsive, demand-led education and training (E&T) systems. Emphasis is placed on developing general, non-routine, and transferable skills throughout the life cycle—from early childhood to adult training. Less stratified school systems and adaptable vocational pathways are seen as key to improving alignment between skill supply and labour market needs.
Authors
Martin Schlotter (with contributions by Giorgio Brunello, Stephen Machin, Daniel Münich, and George Psacharopoulos)
Cite as
Schlotter, M. (2008). Origins and consequences of changes in labour market skill needs. EENEE Analytical Report No.
