International workshop

7 November 2012, Biobased Europe, Zeelandlaan 2, Terneuzen, Netherlands

This workshop was organised by The Ministry of Interior and Kingdom Relations and the Province of Zeeland within the framework of the OECD LEED project on local scenarios of demographic change

 

What / Who / Where / Contact

 

What

Regions facing demographic shrinkage are the laboratories of future labour market issues for the whole country. The demographic prognosis for the province of Zeeland shows that the current population of 380.000 will remain at a constant level until 2020 and will then shrink by 2% to 374.000 in 2030. The age group 20-65, which forms the basis of the labour force, will drop from 58% in 2012 to 52% in 2030. In the region Zeeuws-Vlaanderen the population will shrink from 106.000 in 2012 by 6% to 100.000 in 2030, while the age group 20-65 will drop from 58% in 2012 to 51% in 2030. The workshop contributed to identifying the main issues, leading to proposals for policy development, including initiatives to address labour market challenges. Local activities, initiatives and strategies are of particular importance for the development of policy proposals within the province itself, but are equally important with regard to national developments, challenges and solutions.

Addressed themes:

• Theme 1: Opportunities for crossborder  labour market: policy responses and ‘regional capacity.
• Theme 2: Intergenerational challenges of demographic transitions in labour markets: unemployment now but shortages soon?
• Theme 3: Accelerating  skills development in industry clusters: which skills ecosystem?
• Theme 4: New sources of economic growth.

Agenda

Summary

 

Who

50-60 senior governmental officials, academic researchers, economic organisations, NGOs, trade unions, business representatives, universities, research students, seniors community groups, youth organisations.

 

Where

The workshop took place at Biobased Europe, Zeelandlaan 2, Terneuzen, Netherlands.

 

Contact

For further information on the project, please contact Dr. Frank Cörvers of ROA, Maastricht University or Dr. Cristina Martinez-Fernandez, Senior Policy Analyst, OECD LEED Programme.