Automation, digitalisation and the green transition create challenges but also new opportunities for local labour markets. Across the OECD, there is increasing labour market polarisation with a decline in the demand for middle-skilled workers and an increase in the demand for high- and low-skilled workers. At the local level, these trends have an uneven impact across regions. While some places are experiencing significant job losses and transformations, others are characterised by innovation and growth, resulting in the creation of new types of jobs. In both cases, new and different skill sets are required. With the COVID-19 crisis, many of the ongoing labour market changes are accelerating.
Local Employment Policies
Local employment systems offer efficient matching of employers and workers at the local level. In our work, we review how employment systems can be best geared to local needs through active labour market policies sensitive to local needs and their integration with other local services.
About Local Employment Policies
Our mission
We examine the role of global megatrends on local labour markets, to support the development of policies and skills strategies that can foster economic development, productivity and quality job creation. We provide countries with research and analysis, tailored policy advice on local employment and skills policies, international peer exchange and support with implementing reforms.
How it works
The OECD has conducted more than 30 OECD Reviews on Local Job Creation reviews to help cities and regions to examine the contribution of local labour market policy to boosting quality employment and enhancing productivity. The reviews deliver evidence-based and practical recommendations on how to better support employment and economic development at the local level.
OECD Local Job Creation Reviews
A clear project assessment of the contribution of labour market policy to boosting quality employment and enhancing productivity can:
- Better matching skills supply to demand,
- Improving training provision and addressing skills gaps
- Improving skills utilisation by firms. understand the capacity of employment services and training providers to contribute to a long-term strategy
- Yield returns in terms of resilience of the local economy, skills levels and job quality.
Each review has a specific topic related to the needs and priorities of the country.
Programme output
Get in touch
For further information, please contact Kristine.Langenbucher@oecd.org