Skill mismatch affects one in three UK workers

Almost a third of workers in the UK are overqualified or underqualified for the jobs they hold, according to analysis published by theOffice for National Statistics (ONS).

The ONS figures show that in the final quarter of 2015, only68.7%of those in employment had a level of educationclose to the averagefor their job—the lowest rate forover a decade.

According to the report,16.1%of workers areovereducatedfor their job, up from 15.3% two years earlier. Meanwhile,15.1%areundereducated, up from 14.8%.

该报告的作者评论说:“原因n skills or educational mismatch is important is that it can be an indicator ofinefficient allocation of labourwithin the economy. This can have potential implications for aggregateproductivity– for example if overeducated workers could better utilise their skills or qualifications in a more productive occupation.”

But IZA World of Labor authorGeraint Johnesof Lancaster University Management School commented that education can still contribute to higher productivity even among overeducated workers, telling theGuardianthat: “Workers who are overqualified for their jobs earn, on average,more than other workers in similar jobs. They do therefore benefit from apositive returnon their extra education, even though this return is lower than they would earn if their jobs better matched their level of education. This suggests that employers find these more educated workers to beparticularly productivein their roles.”

Peter Sloanehas written for IZA World of Labor aboutovereducation, skill mismatches, and labor market outcomes for college graduates. He writes that: “Drawing meaningful conclusions about mismatch, its dynamics, and its relationship towages,job satisfaction, andjob mobilityrequirespanel data, which can reach more nuanced conclusions by allowing forindividual differences, e.g. choosing a job because it offerscompensation.”

The ONS report can be foundhere.

Related articles:

Overeducation, skill mismatches, and labor market outcomes for college graduatesbyPeter J. Sloane
The boom in university graduates and the risk of underemploymentbyGustavo A. Yamada
Skill mismatch and overeducation in transition economiesbyOlga Kupets
Find more IZA World of Labor articles abouteconomic returns to education