Skills in the light of crisis and times of transition

The European Commission published a Thematic Review on skill shortages and labour market change during the pandemic and in the context of digitalisation and green transition.

The aim of the Synthesis Report “Skills shortages and struc­tu­ral changes in the labour market during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the context of the digital and green tran­si­ti­ons” is to analyse the lack of necessary skills that occurred due to COVID-19 and how the digi­ta­li­sa­ti­on and green change have con­tri­bu­ted to this shortage. Additionally, the publi­ca­ti­on documents strategic policies and practices of employers used in the EU Member States to alleviate skills shortages, with specific focus on those related to digital skills.

The digital tran­si­ti­on was iden­ti­fi­ed as a major cause of skill shortages, while the impact of the green tran­si­ti­on was deemed less signi­fi­cant. However, it is anti­ci­pa­ted that the effects of the green tran­si­ti­on will intensify in the future. The con­se­quen­ces of the pandemic have not been the cause for skill shortages in the first place but made them more prominent in many sectors. Policy responses aim to better matching of education and skills deve­lo­p­ment to the needs of the labour market in most countries.

Stefan Humpl was respon­si­ble for the country article on Austria.