Labor market
Research into work, income, vacancies
The Dutch labor market is constantly changing. Some sectors have been hit particularly hard by the corona crisis, resulting in job losses. Recently, we used data science techniques to find out whether some of those who have lost their job can switch to work in other sectors. This is just one example of the type of labor market research we perform, as there are many other options.
Research produces facts, figures and information that you can use to develop new (strategic) policy. It can help governments, organizations and institutions to make better decisions for the future. Research can also be useful to evaluate policies or to get a better understanding of new developments. We have various research methods at our disposal to provide you with the right data and information.
Some examples of what we do
Education labor market
- We have provided the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science with labor market prognoses for several years running. These prognoses provide an insight into the supply and demand of teachers at national and regional levels and therefore any potential teacher shortages. We use Mirror: a micro simulation model in which the choices of all employees in education are modeled and simulated.
- We also create regional reports that contain the main findings from the labor market prognoses.
- Furthermore, Centerdata collects information about secondary education lessons through the Integrale Personeelstellingen Onderwijs (IPTO). All secondary education institutions collect personal-level data with regard to subjects taught, the number of lesson hours for each subject, type of education, program year and teaching qualifications.
- Finally, also for the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and also for several years running, we perform the Loopbaanmonitor Onderwijs (Career Monitor for Education). This answers questions such as: what is the labor market situation for newly graduated teachers? And how many recent graduates in education actually get a job in education?
Labor market and data science
Extensive automation and robotics, artificial intelligence, new technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and 3D-printing: more and more businesses are digitizing their operations. Which professions and which skills will be most affected by digitization? And what are the consequences for employees and their career prospects? What are the ‘skills for the future’?
Centerdata applied multiple Natural Language Processing techniques to a huge data set on behalf of a wide consortium (including the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, the sector fund for ICT, CA-ICT, and five of the Dutch leading economic sectors). The objective: to map out changes in the demand for certain digital and non-digital skills.
Instrument maps transition possibilities
In addition to measuring the impact of digitization and automation on various sectors, professions and skills, we also carry out other labor market research using various data science techniques. We have developed an instrument that can map the development of skills and positions, such as changes caused by digitization and automation, where the demand for certain skills increases and certain jobs become more attractive. Our instrument can also be used for skills-based job matching. This means that you use the data set with competences, skills, knowledge, work experience, qualifications etc. to find out what jobs may be suitable for a person. So instead of just looking at someone’s CV or qualifications, you take a much wider approach.
This instrument can be used to identify promising and future-proof transitions, both for the Dutch labor market as a whole as well as for specific sectors. It can be useful for jobs that will be less in demand in the future such as secretaries. Additionally, the instrument can also show us how to recruit for hard-to-fill positions where it is difficult to find the right people, such as in ICT or jobs related to energy transition.
Obviously, our instrument can also help people whose jobs and/or sectors were affected by the corona crisis to find new jobs. As an example, last year we carried out analyses for employers at Schiphol when they had to lay off thousands of people and help them find new employment.
But we also advise the energy sector and other parties involved with energy transition. They are often at a loss as to where to find suitably qualified employees. We managed to find lots of options for positions where there is a skills shortage, the so-called target professions as mentioned in the Climate Agreement. We found many suitable candidates in the aviation industry, creating a win-win situation whereby an aircraft technician who was made redundant is given the opportunity to start work as an electricity grid technician, for example.
Data visualization and dashboards
Centerdata is also specialized in data visualization and dashboard development. We developed the dashboard to monitor the Regional Mobility Teams (RMTs) that are being set up in all 35 labor market regions to support people who are at risk of losing their jobs or have lost their jobs due to the corona crisis.
An example of labor market related survey research
Quick Scan childcare vacancies
The childcare sector has experienced a continuous shortage of staff and unfilled vacancies in recent years. In 2020, Covid-19 played a significant role in childcare availability. The corona restrictions may also have consequences for the labor market. Platform Arbeidsmarkt Kinderopvang (Platform Labor Market Childcare) asked Centerdata at the start of 2021 to carry out a Quick Scan among childcare employers in order to learn more about the current labor market situation and the expectations for the future.