Introduction
Labour and Education
If the Dutch economy is to continue to flourish and compete, it must constantly develop knowledge and apply it to the production process. With an ongoing development towards a service economy, this mechanism runs increasingly through the labour market. The interdependency between knowledge and work (through education, training and reintegration) is gaining in importance. Within this context, the Labour and Education section of SEO Economic Research seeks to enhance insight into the operation of the labour market, the added value of education and training, the connection between education and labour and the development of a knowledge economy.
Our research
Research of the Labour and Education section concerns the labour market, the educational system and the relationship between the two. It is directed towards advising public institutions as well as private organisations. Research topics include labour supply and labour demand projections, internal and external labour markets dynamics, labour market tensions, wage differentials, employment benefits, labour migration and the labour-market position of minorities, the relationship between education and work, study and career choices, the structure of higher education, active labour market policy including training, and the relationship between labour and housing markets.
Broad topics that are addressed within these areas include the effects of population ageing on the labour market and educational system, effects of technological development (ICT) on training and work, effects of globalisation on national and international labour markets, effects of policy measures on the labour market and educational system, and conditions for and consequences of developing a knowledge economy.
One distinguishing characteristic of the research conducted by the Labour and Education section at SEO Economic Research is the application of state-of-the-art scientific research techniques in combination with a strong policy orientation. Examples include evaluation studies, econometric effect studies, analyses of behaviour (economic or otherwise), projections and scenarios, and cost-benefit analyses. Nevertheless, the section’s labour market and educational research is primarily practical and of an applied nature. Most research questions arise from practice, and usually involve pressing problems and issues in the area of labour and education. We maintain the unique combination of theory and practice by staying in touch with the scientific world on the one hand by following courses, attending scientific conferences and writing scientific articles, and staying in touch with practice on the other hand by participating in the public debate through workshops and conferences and by contributing to newspapers and journals. For more information about our expertise, research areas and clients, please visit:
Staff
The following researchers are active within the Labour and Education section:
- Ernest Berkhout (senior researcher)
- Djoerd de Graaf (senior researcher)
- Emina van den Berg (researcher)
- Siemen van der Werff (researcher)
- Theo Smid (researcher)
- Maikel Volkerink (researcher)
- Arjan Heyma (section head)
Contact
Section head Arjan Heyma (a.heyma@seo.nl, 020-5251656). Click here for further contact details and additional information.