Regional Labour Market Dynamics and Economics Participation: The Mediation Role of Education and Training Institutions

Abstract

Since the late 1970s in New Zealand, education and training have been essential elements as governments have grappled with maintaining and increasing the employability of the labour force. This paper reports on one phase of the Labour Market Dynamics and Economic Participation research programme which addresses the role that education and training institutions play in mediating labour supply and demand and promoting economic participation within various New Zealand regional labour markets. The paper refines and extends some of the key concepts of the Department of Labour's Human Capability Framework to explore the effectiveness of regional education and training institutions, and other intersecting regional and national organisations, in mediating regional labour market supply and demand.