Skills Mobility

For more information about Skills Mobility, read our full concept note.

How do we define global skills mobility?

Global skills mobility refers to the movement of workers of all skills levels for employment opportunities, including intra-company transfers, international recruits, and local hires. We will examine and discuss policies that govern mobility, including visa/work permit categories and processes and frameworks for recognizing foreign skills and qualifications. We propose a broad definition that aligns with the governments’ framing of the issue so that we can provide relevant contributions to the government discourse.

Why Should the Private Sector be Involved?

Despite widespread agreement among economists and business leaders on the benefits of international skills mobility, increasing populism and xenophobia distort the public discourse on migration in many countries. This creates a political environment where it is challenging to advance policies that lower barriers to the efficient and predictable movement of workers. In this context, business must explain how well managed migration can complement and create opportunities for native workers – a win-win scenario.

What Does the Private Sector Recommend?

Governments should administer immigration systems that account for labor market demands and modern business practices.
In devising reforms, they should actively consult employers who are best-suited to understand the economic impact of policies.
Systems should feature a robust and flexible visa framework to spur innovation, fill skills gaps, and promote development.
Immigration processes should be accessible and transparent.
Systems should be efficient and coherent, with timely and predictable processes.

Business Best Practices

Businesses recognize the many benefits of migration and have developed platforms to counter common misconceptions. These platforms combine data and compelling stories to elevate the discourse around migration:

Employment is a critical link in the relationship between business and migration. Employers deploy, hire, and recruit migrants in several scenarios, each with their own implications for migration policy…