How relevant are universities’ education for labor markets?

Improving the labor market relevance of higher education is a challenge for many universities across the globe and especially in emerging and developing countries. Knowledge on labor market needs and labor market developments is crucial in realizing this objective. In this respect, MSM and Maastricht University (through its Research Centre for Education and the Labour Market- ROA) have partnered in the field of higher education capacity building.

We currently provide training on Labor Market Analysis and University Labor Market Linkages, from the 23 November until 4 December in Maastricht. ROA will share with participants expertise on topics such as manpower planning and labor market forecasting, employers surveys for labor market analysis and assessment of skills needs and tracer studies.

Participants in the training program come from the Executive Education Program Leadership & Management of Higher Education Institutions and from the Tanzanian National Council for Technical Education (NACTE). Together with NACTE, MSM is involved since 2012 in a large Dutch Government funded project titled: “Improving the labor market responsiveness of technical education in Tanzania”. As part of the training program the Tanzanians will work under the supervision of MSM and ROA on the development of a pilot-tracer study, which will be implemented in Tanzania in 2016.

Related publications
Assessing organizational capacity in higher education (MSM Working Paper No. 2014/07 – Ms. Rita van Deuren)
Capacity Development in Higher Education Institutions in Developing Countries (MSM Working Paper No. 2013/30 – Ms. Rita van Deuren)
Capacity Development in Higher Education: New Public Universities in Ethiopia (MSM Working Paper No. 2013/24 – Ms. Rita van Deuren, Tsagazeab Kahsu and Seid Mohamed Ali, Wondimu Woldie)