The study aimed at identifying the relationship between the competencies of Palestinian university graduates and the needs of the Palestinian labour market from the perspective of graduates and employers. The study adopted the descriptive analytical approach (quantitative). It found that the level of suitability of the competencies of Palestinian…

This report looks into the incidence of skills mismatches in the Republic of Serbia (hereafter referred to as Serbia). In 2017, the European Training Foundation (ETF) initiated a skills mismatch measurement project in the ETF partner countries with two objectives: (1) to identify regular data sources; and (2) to develop and test a series of…

The report looks into the incidence of skills mismatches in the Republic of Moldova (hereafter referred to as Moldova). In 2017, the European Training Foundation (ETF) initiated a mismatch measurement project in selected ETF partner countries with a view to showcasing gaps and shortages in skills utilisation on the labour market including aspects…

This report looks into the incidence of skills mismatches in the Republic of North Macedonia (hereinafter referred to as North Macedonia). In 2017, the European Training Foundation (ETF) initiated a skills mismatch measurement project in the ETF partner countries with two objectives: (1) to identify regular data sources; and (2) to develop and…

In 2017, the European Training Foundation (ETF) began a project on skills mismatch measurement in ETF partner countries. The project objectives were to identify regular data sources, and develop and test indicators that can capture various angles and implications of skills mismatch. In the first phase of the pilot project, four partner countries…

This report focuses on a critical concern for the European Training Foundation's (ETF's) partner countries and other countries of the around the world. Skills mismatch is recognised as a major challenge by policy makers, practitioners and social partners, as it is often associated with dynamic social and economic contexts such as restructuring…

The Middle East and North Africa region has the world's lowest returns to education. This paper examines what the value of a degree is using nationally representative labour market surveys from Egypt (2012), Jordan (2010) and Tunisia (2014). Specifically, the authors estimate Mincer models for levels and years of schooling. They find that returns…

Stackable credential initiatives aim to build education and training pipelines in applied fields that allow individuals to earn educational certificates or other industry-recognized credentials and then build on these short-term credentials to earn additional certificates and degrees throughout their careers. Stackable credentials have the…

In many countries, the skilled labor market has lagged educational expansion. As a result of increased competition, younger cohorts of the highly educated face decreasing returns to education or overeducation. Surprisingly, decreasing occupational outcomes do not coincide empirically with the economic returns among those with tertiary education.…

Vocational education is formal education about work, and vocational programs of study typically target a narrow subset of middle-income occupations. In this chapter, we trace vocational education from competing 20th century education philosophies to its varied structures throughout the 21st century world. We then review the body of economic…

The COVID-19 pandemic has created uncertain economic conditions due to restrictions put in place to control the spread of the virus. These restrictions have significantly impacted the economic activities of businesses and industries, and in turn the demand for labour. As the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia continues, it is…

Young people who are not studying, in training or working make up what is known as the 'NEET' group (not in education, employment or training). The NEET indicator has been regularly published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) since the late 1990s, as NEET youth are considered to be "potentially at risk for…

Work-based learning (WBL) has risen rapidly in the policy agenda over recent years in the European Union. Efforts to strengthen WBL, particularly in vocational education and training (VET), are increasingly common throughout European countries. This report analyses the 2016 EU labour force survey (EU-LFS) ad hoc module, which covers the topic of…

This paper assesses the reliability and validity of cognitive and socioemotional skills measures and investigates the correlation between schooling, skills acquisition, and labor earnings. The primary data from Pakistan incorporates two innovations related to measurement and sampling. On measurement, the paper develops and implements a battery of…

The transition from school to work can be a difficult period associated with spells of unemployment. Data show that those who leave school early have comparatively low skills and low educational attainment and face the greatest challenges in the labour market compared to their peers who stayed in education longer. Efforts should be made to ensure…