Human Capital and Regional Development

Human capital has become a central theme in policies
directed at promoting regional economic
development. Using a detailed analysis of workers
skill and knowledge capabilities the authors
identify, compare and contrast the skill and
knowledge needs and gaps existing in three
metropolitan regions of Australia. The analysis
shows clear signs of disparity in terms of
employment opportunities. Of particular concern are
the decline in the skill and knowledge intensity of
occupations and a trend in part-time work which
tends to favour lower skill and knowledge intensity
employment. Whilst the study highlights challenges
facing the regional economy, it also provides an
opportunity for local government, education and
business to focus efforts to improve the skills and
knowledge of the resident workforce and assist in
the creation of a sustainable regional economy.

Autorentext

Anne Langworthy is Associate Professor at the University of Tasmania, Australia. Alexis Esposto is Senior Lecturer in Economics at Swinburne University of Technology, Australia. Andrea Garing lectures in Statistics at Swinburne University of Technology. Rebecca Feldman has a degree in Arts from Swinburne University.

Klappentext

Human capital has become a central theme in policies directed at promoting regional economic development. Using a detailed analysis of workers' skill and knowledge capabilities the authors identify, compare and contrast the skill and knowledge needs and gaps existing in three metropolitan regions of Australia. The analysis shows clear signs of disparity in terms of employment opportunities. Of particular concern are the decline in the skill and knowledge intensity of occupations and a trend in part-time work which tends to favour lower skill and knowledge intensity employment. Whilst the study highlights challenges facing the regional economy, it also provides an opportunity for local government, education and business to focus efforts to improve the skills and knowledge of the resident workforce and assist in the creation of a sustainable regional economy.