Skill Formation

Interest in collective skill formation systems has been high for a long time, but recent structural economic and societal developments have led commentators to question their viability. In particular, the shift towards a knowledge economy creates a number of challenges for these highly praised systems of vocational training. These challenges relate to the growing importance of knowledge intensive production in advanced economies and with the accelerated pace of change due to innovation and globalization. What is more, these issues are compounded by coinciding developments in growing inequality and the emergence of multicultural societies. Can collective skill formation systems adapt fast enough to the needs of the knowledge economy? Can they continue to be as successful as they have been in the past in integrating youth in the labour market? Will employers be willing to participate in the delivery of vocational training in this new context? In this book, a world class team of leading experts on collective skill formation systems provide a thorough discussion of these and other questions raised by the shift to a knowledge economy. The book argues that collective skill formation systems remain attractive for firms and governments. However, continuous and profound adjustments will be needed if they are to fulfil their objectives in terms of equity and efficiency.

Economic globalization has led to intense debates about the competitiveness of nations. Prosperity, social justice, and welfare are now seen to depend on the creation of a 'high skilled' workforce. This international consensus around high skills has led recent American presidents to claim themselves 'education presidents' and in Britain, Tony Blair has announced that 'talent is 21st-century wealth'. This view of knowledge-driven capitalism has led all the developed economies to increase numbers of highly-trained people in preparation for technical, professional, and managerial employment. But it also harbours the view that what we regard as a 'skilled' worker is being transformed. The pace of technological innovation, corporate restructuring, and the changing nature of work require a new configuration of skills described in the language of creativity, teamwork, employability, self-management, and lifelong learning. But is this optimistic account of a future of high-skilled work for all justified? This book draws on the findings of a major international comparative study of national routes to a 'high skills' economy in Britain, Germany, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and the United States, and includes data from interviews with over 250 key stakeholders. It is the first book to offer a comparative examination of 'high skill' policies -- a topic of major public debate that is destined to become of even greater importance in all the developed economies in the early decades of the twenty-first century.

The book examines skill systems and vocational training in a number of coordinated market economies, analysing historical origins and contemporary developments. As well as case studies on Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Denmark, it also contains comparative chapters exploring reactions to common challenges.

Asia has undergone rapid transformation over the past several decades as many countries have embraced new technologies and the processes of globalisation. Over this period the inflow of foreign capital into the region, the level of trade amongst these countries, and trade with other parts of the world has increased substantially. The ensuing economic growth has led to some significant changes in labour markets and the demand for skilled employees and their deployment within organisations. Focusing on a number of developed and developing Asian economies, this book explores the dynamics of workforce development and skill formation, and considers questions of both skills shortages and skills gaps. The book assesses the current state of training in the selected Asian economies, the weaknesses and strengths of their various training approaches, and what the present state of training means for the future economic development of these economies.

"In The Origins of Nonliberal Capitalism, German sociologists and American and Japanese political scientists draw extensively on the work of economists and historians from their home countries, as well as from the United Kingdom and France. The contributors analyze the historical origins of nonliberal capitalism in Germany and Japan from two perspectives: the emergence and survival of a capitalism that does not assume liberal ideas and ideology; and the causes of difference between the systems of Germany and Japan. They also outline the requirements for internally coherent national models of an embedded capitalist economy."--BOOK JACKET.

Im Fokus des Sammelbandes stehen Untersuchungen zur Anerkennung von nonformalem und informellem Wissen. Durch eine Validierung sollen neue Zugänge zum Arbeitsmarkt eröffnet und die Zusammenarbeit und Mobilität innerhalb der EU gestärkt werden. Hier setzt das Erasmus+-Projekt EffectVPL ("Effectiveness of VPL Policies und Programmes for Labour Market Inclusion and Mobility - Individual and Employer Perspectives", 2017-2019) an, dessen Ergebnisse in diesem Band vorgestellt werden. Ausgangspunkt des Projekts zum lebenslangen Lernen war die mangelhafte Anerkennung von Lernerfahrungen, die außerhalb institutioneller Kontexte gewonnen wurden. Im ersten Teil des Bandes werden die theoretischen Grundlagen vorgestellt, bevor die Autor:innen im zweiten Teil empirische Ergebnisse zu Untersuchungen in Polen, Dänemark, der Türkei und Deutschland präsentieren. Abschließend wurde ein Trainingsmodul entwickelt, das die Projektergebnisse für Lehrende in Europa aufbereitet.

This multidisciplinary book develops an original framework for understanding skills, skilled work, and surrounding policies. It establishes the concept and measurement of skill, sets out a theoretical framework for skills analyses, and investigates the roles of employers, workers, and other social actors.