Stephen Downes

Knowledge, Learning, Community

According to Steven C. Ward, the skills gap argument "does not do justice to the complex structural conditions that makes certain skills in demand or not." Rather, it is the employment market that is misrepresented. "It is employers who have not kept up with the improved skills and knowledge of university graduates over the decades." This could be a deep point if it were substantiated with data. It suggests that industry and commerce are misdirected, that they would generate more value if they were doing different things, where these things match the existing skills base in society. This may be true. But it doesn't help people with these skills, who find no market for them, and it doesn't help companies, who have demonstrated needs, and no people to fill their positions. The facts, at the moment, trump Ward's argument. Via Patrick Dunleavy.

Today: 1056 Total: 1061 [Direct link] [Share]

Image from the website
View full size


Stephen Downes Stephen Downes, Casselman, Canada
stephen@downes.ca

Copyright 2024
Last Updated: Mar 28, 2024 5:25 p.m.

Canadian Flag Creative Commons License.

Force:yes