The future of teleworking: A place-based toolkit for local development

Many firms are struggling to fill critical job vacancies due to labour shortages, exacerbated by demographic shifts, changing preferences and attitudes towards work, skills gaps and barriers to talent mobility.

AI, remote work and other digital tools can offer new solutions for tackling labour and skills shortages. People with care responsibilities or seeking a better work-life balance can find new ways to participate in the labour market. Commuting becomes less binding, and workers can learn new skills and take on new tasks. Young individuals who are currently inactive can access employment, education or training more easily. At the same time, digitalisation is profoundly transforming the local market, with automation and AI potentially displacing certain jobs and widening the skills gap for those who are not equipped to adapt.

This project aims to support policy makers to seize the opportunities of new technologies and respond to the labour market risks to digital trends.

We can support your region by providing:

• Local labour market analysis: In-depth studies of local labour market trends, skills shortages and development challenges, benchmarked against other OECD countries and regions.
• Skills assessment: Evaluation of local skill demands and supply, identification of gaps, and analysis of hiring trends, using AI-driven tools to monitor job postings and emerging needs.
• AI-driven solutions for labour market inclusion: Recommendations on leveraging AI and digital technologies to promote inclusivity in the labour market and address local skills shortages.
• Remote work analysis: Assessment of current and potential levels of remote work, identification of key enablers and barriers, and strategies to integrate remote work into local economic development.
• Place-based digital strategies: Development of comprehensive, evidence-based strategies to harness the potential of AI, remote work and digitalisation, tailored to the specific needs and opportunities of your region.

These are just some of the questions that inspire our work:

• Increased access to skilled workers: Remote work solutions enable local employers to tap into a global talent pool, reducing the constraints posed by geographical limitations.
• Reduced skills mismatch: New tools can identify skill gaps and recommend tailored training and education programmes, ensuring the local workforce aligns with market needs.
• Enhanced workforce training: Digital platforms provide accessible, targeted training to upskill local workers, helping them adapt to changing market demands.
• Boosted productivity and innovation: By integrating AI and digital tools, local businesses can streamline operations, enhance productivity and focus on high-value activities.
• Resilience to economic shocks: Digital workforces and AI-driven operations offer flexibility and adaptability, helping local economies stay resilient during economic downturns or external disruptions.

Reach out to our team to discuss how we can support your region in leveraging AI, remote work and other digital trends to achieve local development and improve labour market outcomes. We are keen to work with regions and cities to address their specific contexts and challenges.

For more information and to start a conversation, please contact: 

• Lukas Kleine-Rueschkamp, Acting Head of Unit, OECD LEED Programme. 
  
• Alessandra Proto, Head, OECD Trento Centre for Local Development.