Early identification of skill needs – brainstorming workshop
13 February 2004
This short note focuses exclusively on the main ideas, proposals and outcomes of the brainstorming. It does not reflect, nor is it intended to reflect, the breadth and nuance of the debate.
The aim of the brainstorming workshop was to get a feedback on Skillsnet planning and to receive and discuss ideas on future activities of Skillsnet from selected partner institutions.
At the outset, Olga Strietska gave an overview of the state of affairs concerning the Skillsnet website in the ETV.
Then she presented two workshops planned for 2004 on:
-Current trends and skill needs in tourism sector (a workshop is planned in Halle, Germany, on 29-30 April 2004) co-organised by FreQueNz network, isw and Cedefop;
-Systemic approaches to the early identification of skills needs. The workshop will tackle the following questions: how are research requirements identified? who funds/contracts/implements the research and at which level? how are the results disseminated and transferred to policy and practice? As a result of the brainstorming discussion, it is suggested that the workshop will include discussion on examples of typologies and d-bases. The workshop could take place in autumn 2004.
She also presented a list of further workshops that could be of interest to the Skillsnet from 2005 onwards:
-early identification of skill needs in new technologies (going beyond ICT to cover, e.g. biotechnology, nano technology, fuel cell technology, and the like);
-skill needs in: telecommunications, the energy sector, construction, environmental protection, agriculture, food processing;
-skill needs of teachers and trainers (possible cooperation TTnet and Skillsnet);
-skill needs in SMEs;
-skill shortages and skill gaps;
-innovation, and research and development in enterprises, and related skills needs/deficiencies;
-scenarios and strategies;
-methodologies for forecasting at different levels, including regional level, methodologies for evaluation of forecasts.
Workshops could be co-organised (between Cedefop and another organisation) and the outcomes of workshops/activities could feed into publications as well as the biennial Skillsnet conferences Cedefop plans to organise. Co-financing by Cedefop will depend on the budget availability for this project.
Participants then explained the focus of their respective organisations in relation to the early identification of skill needs, highlighting possible areas for cooperation as appropriate. These are:
-2-day symposium on European qualifications, involving Social Partners and supported, inter alia, by the EU, to be held in autumn possibly in Strasbourg (organised by the French High Commission on Education-Economy-Employment, represented by Claude Sauvageot). Details will be posted on the Skillsnet site. Interest also in identifying good tools for regional approaches, the use of different tools in policy approaches and the link between education/training and employment. Possible focus on specific target groups;
-FAS (represented by John McGrath) would be interested in a thematic ICT workshop focusing on primary research and sharing best practice (link between FAS site and Skillsnet d-base). Interest in forecasting methodologies, with inclusion of qualitative aspects, systems of disseminating research findings and developing best practice examples for transfer of research findings to practical implementation, developing synergy at European level with regard to research and various national and European groups looking at the problem of skill bottlenecks;
-ROA (represented by Andries de Grip): interested in workshops – constitute one research group on a specific theme that would focus on a European agenda, rather than just disseminating national experiences. Main interest in methodology (not just forecasting), identifying major steps that can be taken at European level (e.g. to remedy the lack of good data at European level). Possibilities to ‘piggyback’ existing surveys to be explored;
-Praxis Centre for Policy Studies Estonia (represented by Tiina Annus): would appreciate network support on the issue of regional skill needs, in particular support in expertise in a foresight approach - from a mid-term vision of economic development subsequent backcasting skill requirements. A conference will be held in Estonia in April/May and Ms Annus would appreciate participation of experts (she will look into possible funding for participation). Details will be posted on the Skillsnet site.
-ETF (represented by Bohrene Chakroun): interest in the issue of cost-effectiveness of early identification of skill needs, identifying specific ‘drivers’ / factors of change and development for skill needs, local development and methodologies (macro and micro level). In practical terms ETF is willing to plan, co-organising and/or co-financing activities in 2005; for 2004, ETF will look into possibility of financing some non-EU participants in, e.g. the tourism workshop.
The issue of sectoral qualifications and European Credit Transfer System was discussed (following presentations by Bodil Lovas and Burkart Sellin). It was agreed that Skillsnet could contribute to the discussion on tools and instruments for measurements employment – education/training relationship. In the longer run, Skillsnet could provide information and/or links to information sources on trends in skill needs in individual sectors, which would be fed into the database on sectoral qualifications. Bodil Lovas will provide information to Skillsnet about the conference on sectoral qualifications planned in the framework of the Dutch presidency in December 2004.
The issue of guidance was discussed (following a presentation by Jennifer Wannan, the Cedefop expert in the matter). While a number of guidance-related events will take place at a European level on this issue in 2004, Skillsnet’s interest might be best served by a workshop the format of which is tailored to its specific interest, i.e. closely related to the identification of skill needs, linking the guidance aspect into the methodology. Such a thematic workshop could focus on translating research findings on early identification of skill needs into the policy and practice of guidance and counselling throughout the life-span. The discussion on transfer of research findings to guidance and counselling as an important systemic aspect can already be introduced in the workshop on systemic approaches to early identification of skill needs in 2004 . Skillsnet could also consider contributing to the IAEVG annual conference. Some guidance-related literature will be uploaded onto the Skillsnet website to feed into the debate (e.g. Cedefop synthesis of results across European countries and information on a related and ongoing German trade union project).
Conclusions – the way ahead for Skillsnet:
-all the information on conferences and papers will be uploaded on the Skillsnet website (in public and/or restricted section);
-virtual cooperation and exchange will be complemented by a significant number of physical events/meetings, starting with the tourism workshop in Halle on 29-30 April;
-the network could support the creation of several thematic working groups inside Skillsnet to focus on specific agendas and problem areas;
-the possibility of participating in the Strasbourg symposium will be explored – given the imminence of the event in Estonia, a Skillsnet involvement at a subsequent conference may be more practical; it might also be useful to co-organise a workshop on different methodological approaches in research on early identification of skill needs at regional level in Estonia at a later stage when first results of the Estonian project become available;
-a workshop on systemic approaches will be organised in autumn (the possibility of holding it in a) the Netherlands– the holder of the EU Presidency in the second half of 2004- and possible co-funding sources will be explored, or b) in Ireland if still can fit into the framework of the Irish presidency and subject to the availability of funds);
-Burkart Sellin will forward relevant information and explanations on upcoming events in the areas of e-skills and the European Credit Transfer System;
-for 2005, likely themes to be (co-)organised by Cedefop include guidance, new technologies, and possibly forecasting methods at the regional level;
-a working group of experienced researchers could be set up to look at the possibility of setting up a European project on a survey related to the early identification of skill needs with exploration of possibilities to use currently available surveys (e.g. European Labour Force Survey by introducing a specific module).