Tools and instruments to assess and anticipate skill needs

In this chapter, a comparative review is provided of the skills assessment and anticipation exercises currently in place in OECD countries. It explores the time span, the methods, the national/regional/sectoral scope and the skills definitions used. It shows that skills assessment and anticipation exercises are carried out in all countries, but that the approaches used vary. Current exercises are being developed further in many countries, with new exercises being developed in others. In most countries obstacles in the form of lack of funds or human resources with the relevant knowledge hinder the further development of such exercises.