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Abstract
Labour markets around the world are evolving rapidly under the combined forces of digitalisation, demographic change, and the green transition. In this context, skills-first approaches—which focus on the skills individuals have and how these skills can be effectively utilised, rather than how they were acquired—are emerging as a way to make labour markets more inclusive, responsive, and transparent. This fourth paper, “Skills-First: Policy and Impact”, examines how skills-first principles can be embedded across the policy ecosystem to address structural inefficiencies, strengthen coordination across industrial, labour and skills policies, and support inclusive and innovation-driven growth.
There will be an upcoming webinar to mark the launch of Working Paper 4 “Skills-First: Policy and Impact” on 10 February 2026. Click to learn more.
Authors
Terence Ho (Assoc. Prof)
Executive Director (Designate), Institute for Adult Learning
Associate Professor (Practice) Terence Ho is Executive Director-Designate of the Singapore University of Social Sciences-Institute for Adult Learning (SUSS-IAL). He leads efforts to advance the Training and Adult Education industry. Previously,Terence was Associate Professor in Practice at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP), National University of Singapore where he remains an adjunct faculty member of LKYSPP.
Associate Professor (Practice) Terence Ho is Executive Director-Designate of the Singapore University of Social Sciences-Institute for Adult Learning (SUSS-IAL). He leads efforts to advance the Training and Adult Education industry. Previously,Terence was Associate Professor in Practice at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP), National University of Singapore where he remains an adjunct faculty member of LKYSPP.
Barney Glover (Prof)
Commissioner, Jobs and Skills Australia
Professor Barney Glover AO began his five-year term as Commissioner of Jobs and Skills Australia in 2024. Professor Glover is a distinguished academic leader, an accomplished mathematician and mathematics educator with significant experience in developing strong relationships with the vocational education sector.
Professor Barney Glover AO began his five-year term as Commissioner of Jobs and Skills Australia in 2024. Professor Glover is a distinguished academic leader, an accomplished mathematician and mathematics educator with significant experience in developing strong relationships with the vocational education sector.
El Iza Mohamedou (Dr)
Head of Centre for Skills, OECD
Dr El Iza Mohamedou is the Head of the OECD Centre for Skills which supports countries to achieve better economic and social outcomes by taking a whole-of-government approach and engaging with stakeholders to develop and implement better skills policies. She is a member of the World Economic Forum Global Future Council on Human Capital Development. She has more than 30 years of international experience working in the field and at headquarters with various international organisations and in the private sector. El Iza holds a PhD in Economics, MBA in International Business and a BA in Economics.
Dr El Iza Mohamedou is the Head of the OECD Centre for Skills which supports countries to achieve better economic and social outcomes by taking a whole-of-government approach and engaging with stakeholders to develop and implement better skills policies. She is a member of the World Economic Forum Global Future Council on Human Capital Development. She has more than 30 years of international experience working in the field and at headquarters with various international organisations and in the private sector. El Iza holds a PhD in Economics, MBA in International Business and a BA in Economics.
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