Women in work: The Norwegian experience 

High female participation in the workforce has a decisive effect on a country’s performance, as Norway shows. 

The changing art of language 

Translators are at the forefront of global communications and knowledge. Yet their work has not always been helped by the information revolution. Here are the challenges. (By René Prioux, OECD Observer Magazine)

Euro area labour costs converging, but imbalances persist

The euro area crisis finds its roots in the credit booms seen in many countries following the introduction of the euro in 1999. Easy credit led to strong growth in a range of sectors, notably housing,  as well as higher levels of  public spending. Inflation in these over-heating economies was higher than the euro area as a whole. Rising prices led to rising costs and a loss of international competitiveness. 

High jobless rates continuing

The Employment Outlook 2012 says that the OECD-wide joblessness rate is forecast to remain high at 7.7% in the fourth quarter of 2013, close to the 7.9% rate in May 2012. This leaves around 48 million people out of work across the OECD.

Jobs for Europe: The employment policy conference

OECD Secretary-General assesses the employment challenges facing Europe and the policy responses urgently needed to put the continent back on a path of jobs-rich growth, at the Employment Policy Conference in Brussels.

Read also: Europe: Investing in Youth (OECD Observer Magazine)

Africa’s young future

With over 200 million people between the ages of 15 and 24–a figure that will double by 2045–Africa’s fast-growing population is the youngest in the world. In the coming decades, hundreds of millions of young Africans will pour on to the job labour market as they leave schools branding qualifications of various levels.

Event: Africa Forum 2012 (4th October, Paris)

Investing in people, skills and education for inclusive growth and jobs

As the spectre of another economic downturn looms large in many countries and is already a reality in others, new data from the 2012 edition of Education at a Glance: OECD Indicators provides powerful insights into the link between education, economic progress and social mobility around the world.

Read also: Does education still pay? (OECD insights blog)

China: Investing in human capital

Tertiary Education: Developing Skills for Innovation and Long-Term Growth in Canada

The tertiary education system in Canada performs well in fostering a skilled workforce with generally good labour-market outcomes and is internationally recognised for its research contributions. Tertiary educational attainment is high, but participation rates will need to continue expanding to maintain the supply of highly skilled labour as the population ages and the needs of the knowledge-based economy rapidly evolve.

The OECD Gender Initiative 

Breaking down barriers to gender equality in education, employment and entrepreneurship would create new sources of economic growth and help make better use of everyone’s skills, according to a new OECD report.

Getting ahead of the curve: skills policy in a changing global economy 

Skills are increasingly important for economic success. Technological change, globalisation and the rise of the ‘knowledge economy’ have all favoured highly skilled workers. When the recession hit, the sharpest rises in unemployment – in the UK at least – were amongst those with fewer skills. The global economy has changed, and workers across the OECD need the right skills to succeed in it.

New competences and jobs for a greener and smarter economy

Green growth strategies require people capable of both greening ICT itself and helping ICT to make other activities greener. Promoting ICT skills in the green and smart economy pays a double dividend by encouraging job creation and accelerating the transition to green growth, but only a minority of governments are explicitly promoting green ICT-related skills and jobs.

OECD calls for new approach to tackle teacher shortage   

With many countries facing shortages of qualified teachers in key subjects, governments need to make the profession more attractive to talented graduates, according to a new OECD report.

Invest in skills to boost jobs and growth

The OECD has launched its Skills Strategy to help governments build economic resilience, boost employment and reinforce social cohesion. Despite the pressure on public finances, spending on education and skills is an investment for the future and must be a priority. For more info please visit: http://skills.oecd.org

Jobs crisis continues

The current weak economic recovery may keep unemployment rates in OECD countries high until at least the end of 2013, according to the OECD Employment Outlook 2012.

Invest in education to tackle jobs crisis

Based on current graduation trends, 82% of young people today will complete upper secondary education, but those who do not will face ever greater challenges in entering and staying in the job market. Indeed, over fifty per cent of 15 to 19 year-olds who are not in school are unemployed or out of the labour force.

See also

• Learning for Jobs
• The future of learning
• LEED programme
• Improve health and social cohesion through education