Skills2capabilities - Policy Brief 2.0

The Skills2Capabilities project undertook research to enhance skills systems for better labour market transitions, focusing on vocational education and training (VET) and adult learning (AL) programmes. The project integrates traditional human capital theory, which emphasises meeting employers' current skill needs, with the capabilities approach, which prioritises learners' intrinsic interests.

By combining these theoretical approaches, Skills2Capabilities supports better matching of skills supply with employer demand while offering individual opportunities to thrive.

This policy brief outlines six  policy insights from the project, across the following thematic headings: 

1. Make skills policy explicitly place‑based and region‑sensitive;
2. Balance responsiveness with proactiveness;
3. Treat skills utilisation and work organisation as part of skills policy;
4. Clarify shared responsibilities and co‑investment across state– employers–individuals – and make learning more portable;
5. Invest in lifelong guidance as core infrastructure for smoother transitions; and
6. Leverage social partnership and sectoral coordination.

Additional resources can be found on the project's website.