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Global Skill Partnerships: A Proposal for Technical Training in a Mobile World

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  • Michael A. Clemens

Abstract

Certain skills are in high demand in advanced economies, particularly in basic health care. Skilled migrants from developing countries are likely to fill part of that demand. This has aroused fears that migration will harm development, by draining both human and financial resources from the countries migrants leave. This paper reviews and critiques existing policy proposals to address the development effects of skilled migration. It then proposes a new kind of policy tool to regulate skilled migration in a way that benefits origin countries, destination countries, and migrants: Global Skill Partnerships. These are bilateral public-private agreements to link skill creation and skill mobility in a mutually beneficial and equitable way. Countries of migrant origin and destination agree ex ante who will bear the costs of training skilled migrants, and allow a small portion of the large economic gains from skill mobility to foster skill creation in origin countries. The paper describes how such an agreement might work in one profession (nursing) and one region (North Africa). Numerous related initiatives around the world offer lessons for proper design.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael A. Clemens, 2014. "Global Skill Partnerships: A Proposal for Technical Training in a Mobile World," Policy Papers 40, Center for Global Development.
    • Handle: RePEc:cgd:ppaper:40
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    Cited by:

    1. is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Satish Chand & Michael Clemens & Helen Dempster, 2022. "Wage arbitrage through skilled emigration: Evidence from the Pacific Islands," Asia and the Pacific Policy Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 9(3), pages 430-446, September.
    3. Giesing Yvonne & Poutvaara Panu, 2025. "Eine gemeinsame europäische Migrationspolitik: Herausforderungen und Optionen," Wirtschaftsdienst, Sciendo, vol. 105(9), pages 650-655.
    4. Laurent Bossavie & Daniel Garrote Sánchez, 2022. "Safe and Productive Migration from the Kyrgyz Republic," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 38290, April.
    5. Knudsen, Camilla & Moura, Fernanda Senra de & Bucker, Joris Joseph Johannes Hendrik & Mealy, Penelope Ann, 2025. "Five Frictions : Key Labor Market Barriers to Unlocking Job Growth in the Green Transition," Policy Research Working Paper Series 11224, The World Bank.
    6. Michael A. Clemens & Colum Graham & Stephen Howes, 2015. "Skill Development and Regional Mobility: Lessons from the Australia-Pacific Technical College," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 51(11), pages 1502-1517, November.
    7. Jaschke, Philipp & Keita, Sekou, 2021. "Say it like Goethe: Language learning facilities abroad and the self-selection of immigrants," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    8. Asian Development Bank Institute ADBI & Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development OECD (ed.), 2020. "Innovative Approaches for the Management of Labor Migration in Asia," ADBI Books, Asian Development Bank Institute, number 13, September.
    9. McKenzie, David & Müller,Charlotte & Acosta, Pablo Ariel, 2025. "Where and How is Money Spent on International Migration and Refugees by World Bank Operational Projects ?," Policy Research Working Paper Series 11141, The World Bank.
    10. World Bank, 2023. "World Development Report 2023: Migrants, Refugees, and Societies [Rapport sur le développement dans le monde 2023 : Migrants, réfugiés et société]," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 39696, April.
    11. Laurent Bossavie & Daniel Garrote-Sánchez & Mattia Makovec & Ça?lar Özden, 2022. "Skilled Migration," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 37101, April.
    12. Paolo Abarcar & Caroline Theoharides, 2024. "Medical Worker Migration and Origin-Country Human Capital: Evidence from U.S. Visa Policy," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 106(1), pages 20-35, January.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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