OECD City Network on Jobs and Skills

Labour markets are changing rapidly. The jobs available and the skills required to perform them are shifting at an ever-faster pace. Due to the diverse impact of global economic changes, cities and local governments play a vital role in creating adult learning systems that help people develop and maintain relevant skills and make societies more resilient.

The OECD, in collaboration with the JPMorgan Chase Foundation, is developing an ambitious programme to support city-level policy makers and practitioners in the design, management, and implementation of adult learning policies and programmes.

The OECD City network on jobs and skills aims to support policy makers and practitioners from around 15 cities in Europe and the United States in effectively addressing future labour market challenges through peer learning and capacity building activities. The European cities that have joined the network include Berlin, Cork, Dublin, Glasgow, London, Madrid, Manchester, Milan, Paris and Stockholm. The United States cities include Boston, New Orleans and San Diego.  

The Network aims to:

• Provide cities with a long-lasting platform for mutual learning opportunities and innovative ideas on how to improve local skills systems based on lessons learned from other cities.
• Exchange on a wide range of topics such as digital skills and inclusion, green skills and jobs, building local partnerships, preparing youth for the world of work and reducing unemployment and inactivity in disadvantaged communities.
• Foster peer exchange and learning opportunities, meetings take different formats including workshops, study visits, and capacity-building activities.