Report - Better Skills, Better Jobs, Better Lives: A Strategic Approach to Skills Policies

OECD Publishing (http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/9789264177338-en), 2012. - 114 p. Skills have become the global currency of the 21st century.Without proper investment in skills, people languish on the margins of society, technological progress does not translate into economic growth, and countries can no longer compete in an increasingly knowledge-based global society. But this currency depreciates as the requirements of labour markets evolve and individuals lose the skills they do not use. Skills do not automatically convert into jobs and growth. The global economic crisis, with high levels of unemployment, in particular among youth, has added urgency to fostering better skills.At the same time, rising income inequality, largely driven by inequality in wages between high-and low-skilled workers, also needs to be addressed. the most promising solution to these challenges is investing effectively in skills throughout the life cycle; from early childhood, through compulsory education, and throughout a working life. The OECD Skills Strategy provides an integrated, cross-government strategic framework to help countries understand more about how to invest in skills in a way that will transform lives and drive economies. it will help countries to identify the strengths and weaknesses of their existing national skills pool and skills systems, benchmark them internationally, and develop policies for improvement. Recognising Both The Complexity Of Skills Policies And The Potential For Peer Learning, The Oecd Has Developed A Global Skills Strategy That Helps Countries To Identify The Strengths And Weaknesses Of Their National Skills Systems, Benchmark Them Internationally, And Develop Policies That Can Transform Better Skills Into Better Jobs, Economic Growth And Social Inclusion. This Book Presents A Strategy That Will Help Countries Reach The Goal Of Having And Making The Best Use Of A High-quality Pool Of Skills. The Oecd Skills Strategy Shifts The Focus From Traditional Measures Of Skills, Such As Years Of Initial Education And Training Or Qualifications Attained, To A Much Broader Perspective That Includes The Skills People Can Acquire, Use And Maintain-and Also Lose-over A Whole Lifetime. Without Sufficient Investment In Skills, People Languish On The Margins Of Society, Technological Progress Does Not Translate Into Economic Growth, And Countries Can No Longer Compete In An Increasingly Knowledge-based Global Society. In Addition, The Book Points Out That For Skills To Retain Their Value, They Must Be Continuously Maintained And Upgraded Throughout Life So That People Can Collaborate, Compete And Connect In Ways That Drive Economies And Societies Forward. -- Publisher's Web Site. Skills.oecd: Building The Right Skills And Turning Them Into Better Jobs And Better Lives --cover. Includes Bibliographical References. Also Available Online. Access Restricted To Authorized Users And Institutions. Recognising both the complexity of skills policies and the potential for peer learning, the OECD has developed a global Skills Strategy that helps countries to identify the strengths and weaknesses of their national skills systems, benchmark them internationally, and develop policies that can transform better skills into better jobs, economic growth and social inclusion. This book presents a strategy that will help countries reach the goal of having and making the best use of a high-quality pool of skills. The OECD Skills Strategy shifts the focus from traditional measures of skills, such as years of initial education and training or qualifications attained, to a much broader perspective that includes the skills people can acquire, use and maintain - and also lose - over a whole lifetime. Without sufficient investment in skills, people languish on the margins of society, technological progress does not translate into economic growth, and countries can no longer compete in an increasingly knowledge-based global society. In addition, the book points out that for skills to retain their value, they must be continuously maintained and upgraded throughout life so that people can collaborate, compete and connect in ways that drive economies and societies forward