Too small to “productively” use skills at work?

By Glenda Quintini. Human capital is key for economic growth. Not only is it linked to aggregate economic performance but also to each individual’s labour market outcomes. However, a skilled population is not enough to achieve high and inclusive growth, as skills need to be put into productive use at work.
Skills used at work are extensible measured in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC, 2012). Basically, individuals are asked the frequency at which they perform certain tasks at work, ranging from (1) “never” to (5) “everyday”. In Chapter 4 of the OECD Skills Outlook 2013, indicators related to the use of information-processing skills (reading, writing, numeracy, ICT skills and problem solving skills use at work) as well as other generic skills (task discretion, learning at work, influencing skills, co-operative skills, self-organising skills, gross physical skills and dexterity) were identified and analysed in detail across countries. Additionally, Quintini (2014) shows how skills use, not only proficiency, affects a number of key labour market phenomena. More...