Smart specialisation strategies are likely to be accompanied by the need for both advanced and medium technical skills. Since 2019 the ETF has been developing a methodological toolkit to help partner countries integrate VET and skills analysis within the smart specialisation approach.
VET and skills in Smart Specialisation strategies
The JRC’s ‘Supporting an Innovation Agenda for the Western Balkans, Tools and Methodologies’ provides guidance on the design of smart specialisation strategies for the EU neighbourhood countries. In the framework VET is part of the quantitative analysis with an indicator on the number of students/graduates at vocational schools.
ETF methodological approach
The ETF believes that a more extensive analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data in terms of workforce and SME skills would help anchor smart specialisation strategies in a realistic supply of relevant skills, and connect VET to the broader drive for innovation. Involving VET actors in the mechanism for stakeholder dialogue on smart specialisation (Quadruple helix) would help connect VET and skills development to interregional and cross-border cooperation and VET excellence based on matching priority areas for smart specialisation.
Figure 1. Quadruple Helix where the role of VET is recognised
To strengthen the skills dimension within smart specialisation, the ETF has developed and tested a methodology for analysing skills implications of smart specialisation strategies. The approach was tested in 2019 at national level in Montenegro and Moldova, and is being tested in 2020-2021 at regional level in Ukraine in Rivne and Kharkiv.
The ETF methodology integrates the assessment of skills demand, analysis of skills trends and gaps; relatedness of skills; mapping of training offer and the analysis of capacities of training providers for responding to emerging trends or new skills requirements resulting from smart specialisation strategies.
Figure 2. Key elements in the methodological development
The methodological approach provides a tool for gaining an understanding of the priority area for smart specialisation in terms of employment and VET provision.
The methodological approach tested in Montenegro and Moldova consisted of three modules:
- Module 1 – Skills assessment for the selected priority areas: It aims to analyse the characteristics of the priority areas in terms of occupations, level of qualifications and skills profiles, the incidence of mismatch, trends in wages etc.
- Module 2 – Relatedness of qualifications, occupations and skills (QOS): It aims to assess the relatedness of QOS in the selected priority areas for growth and smart specialisation (sectors/sub-sectors) with similar/compatible QOS in shrinking economic areas; with the aim to identify possible alternative uses of skills.
- Module 3 – Assessment and anticipation of the training offer and training needs for selected subsectors: It aims to map the existing education and training offer, both initial and continuous, relevant to the selected priority areas and understand to what extent it can respond to skills gaps and needs identified.
Based on the testing, in 2020 in Ukraine the methodological approach was strengthened by two additional elements. First, an element on cross-border peer to peer learning partnerships was added to explore and exchange on commendable and innovative practices in terms of VET and skills provision in the smart specialisation priority area. Secondly, a foresight exercise to complement the quantitative analysis (long term needs) will be integrated.
Links to other organisations relevant publications on the link between skills and smart specialisation:
EASME, Skills for Industry - Skills for Smart Industrial Specialisation and Digital Transformation, https://www.clustercollaboration.eu/eu-initiatives/reports/skills-industry-skills-smart-industrial-specialisation
JRC, Skills and Smart Specialisation - The role of Vocational Education and Training in Smart Specialisation Strategies, https://s3platform.jrc.ec.europa.eu/-/skills-and-smart-specialisation-the-role-of-vocational-education-and-training-in-smart-specialisation-strategies
OECD, Innovation-driven Growth in Regions: The Role of Smart Specialisation, https://www.oecd.org/sti/inno/smartspecialisation.htm
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