Leiden, Netherlands, 14 October 2024 – Representatives of the SkiLMeeT consortium recently met with the External Advisory Board (EAB) to present the progress of the project’s research and discuss challenges in data collection and analysis.
The online meeting, held on October 9, featured valuable insights from board members Michael Handel (Northeastern University), Salih Tutun (Washington University), Uschi Backes-Gellner (University of Zurich), Glenda Quintini (OECD), and Wouter Zwysen (ETUI).
The discussion addressed several key challenges, such as the complexity of the Burning Glass and Lightcast skills categories. Board members provided guidance on simplifying skill classifications and recommended relevant literature.
Another major topic was the analysis of training curricula and skill measurement. The EAB emphasised the importance of including non-formal training and highlighted the role of technology in training content.
The board members highlighted the limitations of using patent data to measure technological impact, noting that patents don’t always translate into immediate changes in training or productivity and vary in nature (e.g. breakthrough vs. defensive patents). While patents effectively document STEM innovations, they often fall short in capturing advances in digital technology. To bridge this gap, the EAB recommended focusing on breakthrough research papers and major software conferences, where significant digital developments frequently emerge.
The EAB also provided valuable feedback on the upcoming CV donation campaign that SkiLMeeT plans to run on social media.
