The feasibility of using big data in anticipating and matching skills needs
This publication collects together the contributions presented during the ILO workshop “Can we use big data for skills anticipation and matching?”, which took place on 19–20 September 2019 at ILO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Discussions during the workshop considered the feasibility of using big data in the context of skills anticipation and matching, and both the potential and the limitations of big data in skills analysis. Participants had the opportunity to offer suggestions on how to advance the agenda in this area, to share good practices and to suggest solutions to commonly found challenges. While these methods of data analysis have already been extensively used in advanced economies, a particularly important focus of the discussions was how they can best be deployed in developing economies.
The first chapter of this publication presents the contributions related to the more conceptual and technical aspects of using real-time data in skills analysis. Following these reflections, the second chapter puts together best practices and experiences from advanced economies. Reflecting the importance of discussing the potential of the use of online job vacancy data in the context of developing economies, the third chapter offers insights from analyses carried out across Latin America and Asia. The fourth chapter shifts the focus away from specific country contexts towards new approaches, such as combinations of big data with other sources. It also opens the way for further discussion in relation to the interpretation of this type of data.
