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A Balancing Act at Times of Austerity: Matching the Supply and Demand for Skills in the Greek Labour Market

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  • Pouliakas, Konstantinos

    (European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop))

Abstract

This paper provides an evidence-based assessment of the current situation prevailing in the Greek market for skills and jobs. The synthesis of available skills intelligence for Greece, the country most severely affected by the global economic crisis of 2008, is crucial as it is currently faced with tough decisions regarding the allocation of limited resources in the face of economic austerity. The paper engages in a comparative overview of Greece's performance on flagship Europe 2020 indicators on education and employment in relation to the EU. An empirical analysis of the incidence and determinants of skill mismatches in the Greek and EU job markets is also undertaken, using data from several European data sources. It is argued that a stronger vocational education and training pillar may constitute a valuable option for strengthening the links between the initial educational system and the labour market in Greece. But tackling skill mismatch requires skill development and skill utilization policies in the workplace. A stronger commitment to enhancing the skill content of jobs by employers via the adoption of high performance workplace practices, investment in continuous training, less reliance on casual labour and policies to support small and medium-sized enterprises in the war for talent are necessary if Greece is to make the most of its rich skills reserves.

Suggested Citation

  • Pouliakas, Konstantinos, 2014. "A Balancing Act at Times of Austerity: Matching the Supply and Demand for Skills in the Greek Labour Market," IZA Discussion Papers 7915, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp7915
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    File URL: https://docs.iza.org/dp7915.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Séamus McGuinness, 2006. "Overeducation in the Labour Market," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 20(3), pages 387-418, July.
    2. Maria Karamessini, 2010. "Transition Strategies and Labour Market Integration of Greek University Graduates," GreeSE – Hellenic Observatory Papers on Greece and Southeast Europe 32, Hellenic Observatory, LSE.
    3. Ilias Livanos & Konstantinos Pouliakas, 2011. "Wage returns to university disciplines in Greece: are Greek higher education degrees Trojan Horses?," Education Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 19(4), pages 411-445, December.
    4. Konstantinos Pouliakas & Ioannis Theodossiou, 2005. "Socio-Economic Differences in the Perceived Quality of High and Low-Paid Jobs in Europe," Labor and Demography 0506002, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Livanos, Ilias, 2009. "The Relationship Between Higher Education and Labour Market in Greece: the Weakest Link?," MPRA Paper 16239, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. Peter Dolton & Rita Asplund & Erling Barth (ed.), 2009. "Education and Inequality Across Europe," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 12921.
    7. George Psacharopoulos, 2003. "The Social Cost of an Outdated Law: Article 16 of the Greek Constitution," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 16(2), pages 123-137, September.
    8. Theodoros Mitrakos & Panos Tsaklogou & Ioannis Cholezas, 2010. "Determinants of the wage rates in Greece with an emphasis on the wages of tertiary education graduates," Economic Bulletin, Bank of Greece, issue 34, pages 7-40, September.
    9. Theodore Mitrakos & Panos Tsakloglou & Ioannis Cholezas, 2010. "Determining factors of youth unemployment in Greece with emphasis on tertiary education graduates," Economic Bulletin, Bank of Greece, issue 33, pages 21-62, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Vassilis Monastiriotis & Angelo Martelli, 2021. "Crisis, Adjustment and Resilience in the Greek Labor Market: An Unemployment Decomposition Approach," International Regional Science Review, , vol. 44(1), pages 85-112, January.
    2. Livianos, Ilios & Tzika, Evi, 2022. "Precarious employment in Greece: economic crisis, labour market flexibilisation, and vulnerable workers," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 115058, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    3. Ilias Livanos & Evi Tzika, 2022. "Precarious Employment in Greece:economic crisis, labour market flexibilisation, and vulnerable workers," GreeSE – Hellenic Observatory Papers on Greece and Southeast Europe 171, Hellenic Observatory, LSE.
    4. Maria Petmesidou & Periklis Polyzoidis, 2015. "What Policy Innovation For Youth in the Era of Prolonged Austerity? The Case of Greece," Cyprus Economic Policy Review, University of Cyprus, Economics Research Centre, vol. 9(2), pages 35-77, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    skills; skill mismatch; Greece; vocational education and training; overeducation; shortages;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C25 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Discrete Regression and Qualitative Choice Models; Discrete Regressors; Proportions; Probabilities
    • I29 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Other
    • J11 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Demographic Trends, Macroeconomic Effects, and Forecasts
    • J20 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - General
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J69 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Other

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