Unemployment across the OECD sits at 5.3% - the lowest rate in the last 20 years. More employers than ever are struggling to fill open jobs — by some estimates, 45%of firms across the OECD say they can't find the skills they need, up from 40% in 2017. Emerging technologies will continue to alter company hiring needs.

At the same time, some people and places are struggling to keep pace. The future prosperity of regions and cities will depend not only on equipping the existing workforce with the right skills, but also on successfully engaging disadvantaged groups so that they are fully contributing to local labour markets.

The 2019 annual conference of the Forum will bring together over 300 participants who will take away new insights on:

• How are the skills needs of firms (especially SMEs) changing due to automation and digitalisation?
• How can regions and cities promote lifelong learning and engage those who are either unemployed or not seeking employment?
• How can social innovation help to advance local development opportunities while building sustainable and enabling labour markets?

Browse the programme

The OECD Local Development Forum was created in 2004 by the OECD LEED Programme.

This 2-day event gathers partners from national government, local authorities, employment agencies, businesses and NGOs.

Previous Forums: 2018 | 2017｜ 2016 ｜ 2015 ｜ 2014 ｜ 2013 ｜ 2012 ｜ 2011 ｜ 2010 ｜ 2009 

Interested in partnering with the Forum? All institutions involved in local economic and employment development and area-based partnerships may become Forum Partners. [More]