1. Skillsnet, 25th-26th Nov. 2004, Dublin
New Developments in the early identification of skill needs in Austria: For instance the AMS Skill Barometer
Reinhold Gaubitsch (AMS), Jörg Markowitsch (3s) Dublin, 26th November 2004

2. Status-Quo in Austria I
Regular Surveys
“Micro-Prognosis”
On behalf of the AMS, every year, short and medium term (1, 2 and 5 years), only for a special aggregation of Ö-ISCO (approx. 20 occupational groups)
Labour market forecast for apprentices and skilled workers
Done by the AMS, short and long term, only the supply side
lehrlinge_und_facharbeiterinnen_am_arbeitsmarkt2003.pdf
(AMS-Skill-Barometer)

3. Status-Quo in Austria II
Ad hoc Surveys
Individual studies with different focus
Different contractors, scales, classifications, durations and methodologies;
Approx studies in the last 10 years, e.g.
“ICT skills needs in Upper Austria”
Feasibility studies for “Fachhochschulen”-Courses
As part of the (re-)accreditation systems, obligatory
Approx. 200 studies in the last 10 years
Feasibility studies for University courses
Approx studies in the last 5 years, voluntary

4. Review of the Status-Quo in Austria
Insufficient Data
Only a few regular surveys
No regular long-term forecasts
Ad hoc surveys of varying quality
Neither networking nor systematisation (missing references)
Poor relevance for planning

5. New Approaches in Austria
New objects of investigations (methodologies)
Analysis of job offers (print and online)
New entities of investigations
Local skill needs analysis
New information-design and new target groups
AMS-Skills Barometer
Networking
AMS-Research Network on Skill Needs Analysis

6. International (General) Trends
(See also M. Tessaring (2003) in the Proceedings of the Skillsnet-Conference , WZB. Berlin)
Most optimistic: Holistic approach
Supply AND demand in focus
Regularity of the surveys
Exchange of experiences in national and international networks (e.g. FreQuenz, Skillsnet)
Better transfer of results to policy makers and practitioners
Support in the political implementation process

7. National Trends What seems to become more important in Austria...
continuous monitoring systems, instead of ad-hoc surveys
linkage to quality assurance systems of education providers
the “editing” of information for individuals (e.g. job seekers), besides experts and policy makers
skills (as objects of analysis), besides the forecast of occupations

8. AMS-Skills Barometer

9. Highlights
First comprehensive online information system for developments in labour market requirements in Austria
Trends in demand are represented according to 24 vocational sectors, 94 vocational fields, 600 vocations and more than 200 skills & competencies

10. Main characteristics I
First comprehensive online information system for developments in labour market requirements in Austria
Detailed description of trends in employment and labour market requirements according to vocational sectors and fields
Regional characteristics
Trend ratings for vocations and vocational fields

11. Main characteristics II
First comprehensive online information system for developments in labour market requirements in Austria
Detailed description of trends in employment and labour market requirements according to vocational sectors and fields
Regional characteristics
Trend ratings for vocations and vocational fields
Current vacancies according to vocations, vocational fields and sectors
Labour market trends for 94 vocational fields and 24 sectors

12. Main characteristics III
First comprehensive online information system for developments in labour market requirements in Austria
Detailed description of trends in employment and labour market requirements according to vocational sectors and fields
Regional characteristics
Trend ratings for vocations and vocational fields
Current vacancies according to vocations, vocational fields and sectors
Labour market trends for 94 vocational fields and 24 sectors
Trends for more than 200 skills & competencies
Linked to the AMS-Vocational Information System
Linked to additional economic information

13. Questions answered
How many vacancies are there for certain vocations, vocational fields or sectors?
Are there regional differencies?
How do experts rate labour market trends for certain vocations, vocational fields or sectors?
Is there particularly strong demand for certain skills and competencies in some vocational fields?
Which trend developments in skills and competencies are being forecasted by experts?

14. The AMS-Skills Barometer for the first time provides public access to expert knowledge about labour market and qualifications trends, thereby supporting vocational guidance.

15. Evaluation I
2 Evaluations with focus on usability and utilization 2003 and 2004
In spring 2004
approx. 200 decision makers for labour market, education and qualifications (social partners, ministries, vocational counsellors, researchers,...)
were interviewed by telephone (while using the AMS-Skills Barometer)

16. Evaluation II (selected results)
Do you know the AMS-Skills Barometer? (N=193)
Yes 40%
NO 60%
Source: IBW/OEIBF 2004

17. Evaluation III (selected results)
How often do you/will you use the AMS-Skills Barometer?
Current Use
Future Use 75
65.6
57.5 50
23.3 25
19.9
18.1
14.1
1.3
0.5
Several times
1-2x in a month
infrequent
Never (or didn‘t
a week
Know the instrument)
Source: IBW/OEIBF 2004

18. Evaluation IV (selected results)
Will you recommend the AMS-Skills Barometer? (to colleagues, clients,...)
No 2%
Yes 98%
Source: IBW/OEIBF 2004

19. Thanks for your attention!
AMS-Skills Barometer
Thanks for your attention!