This thesis examines and explains multinational employers' experiences of localized shortages of skilled process workers in Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP), China. It explains three challenges facing SIP employers in accessing sufficient skilled process workers and their responses within HRM to such challenges. These three challenges are employers' experiences with vocational education and training (VET) deficiencies in students' skill development, employers' experiences of poaching of skilled process workers by other companies, and employers' experiences of provision of workplace training for skilled process workers in their own companies. In response to these challenges, SIP employers have adopted various HRM measures that include differing combination of recruitment and selection, employee retention, training and development, and employment relations management. These policies and practices represent the different ways that SIP employers have attempted to meet the challenges of localized skill shortages in the context of their own business strategies.

This thesis examines and explains multinational employers' experiences of localized shortages of skilled process workers in Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP), China. It explains three challenges facing SIP employers in accessing sufficient skilled process workers and their responses within HRM to such challenges. These three challenges are employers' experiences with vocational education and training (VET) deficiencies in students' skill development, employers' experiences of poaching of skilled process workers by other companies, and employers' experiences of provision of workplace training for skilled process workers in their own companies. In response to these challenges, SIP employers have adopted various HRM measures that include differing combination of recruitment and selection, employee retention, training and development, and employment relations management. These policies and practices represent the different ways that SIP employers have attempted to meet the challenges of localized skill shortages in the context of their own business strategies.

A dissertation submitted to the Department of Construction Management and Quantity Surveying, Faculty of Engineering at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Technology Construction Management / This study investigated the causes and impact of the effects of shortages of skilled artisans on contractor productivity. The objectives of the study were as follows: (i) to identify causes of shortages of skills during the construction production phases; (ii) to define the effects of shortages of skills during the production phase of a project; (iii) to examine how to deal with shortages of skills when they happen; (iv) to determine ways in which the shortage of skills may be reduced; (v) to determine whether shortages of skills cause poor contractor performance. The study was inspired by many international and local studies demonstrating a lack of concern for the impact of shortages of skilled artisans on project performance, and their effects on project time. The research method adopted for study was a survey of construction sites and staff within the NMC group in the Cape Peninsula metropolitan area of the Western Cape Province. The study collected data from 65 participants from 10 different NMC sites. The participants in the survey included Project managers, site managers, quantity surveyors and artisans on sites. The findings of the study revealed that there is lack of formal training of artisans; performance of artisans is not highly regarded and there is lack of motivation, these factors contribute to the shortages of skilled artisans. It is also evident that shortage of skills causes’ poor contractor performance and leads to poor quality of work. The researchers also found that, setting out errors occur due to lack of coordination between the main contractor and subcontractors and the lack of skills on the part of the artisans. In addition, inexperience on the side of the leading hand and / or supervisor and trades foremen and their inability to interpret the drawings contributed to rework during construction phase. A reason also given for shortage of artisans is that young people are afraid to get their hands dirty. Young people would rather work with computers than for engineering and its associated professions. It is recommended that to increase the supply of artisans some measures will have to be implemented to encourage young people to become artisans.

Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Magister of Technologiae: Human Resource Management In the Faculty of Business At the Cape Peninsula University of Technology 2012 / This research focused on investigating perceptions of the socio economic impact of skills shortage on the community of Khayelitsha, Western Cape. The objectives of this study were to critically investigate the causes of skills shortage in the community of Khayelitsha; to assess the perceived social impacts that it has on the community; and to critically investigate whether skills shortage is one of the causes of unemployment. The research also went as far as examining measures, which were taken by government and other stakeholders to address skills shortage. Chapter One of the study provides information related to a background of the research under study. Chapter Two briefly considers skills shortage, globally, prior to looking thoroughly at the causes for skills shortage in Khayelitsha. It further presents evidence of skills shortage in South Africa by considering different sectors. Furthermore, the research details the social and the economic impact of skills shortage, the state of poverty and inequality, as well as the state of unemployment. Chapter Two also details the role of government and other stakeholders to address skill shortage. Chapter Three introduces the research design and methodologies that were used, while Chapter Four presents an analysis and assessment of data that was collected. Chapter Five concludes the research by making recommendations. Two types of methodologies were employed by the researcher, namely qualitative and quantitative research methodology. The researcher employed two types of data analysis, namely content analysis and descriptive statistics. These techniques were helpful for the study because they explored perceptions and evidence of skills shortage in South Africa and Khayelitsha, in particular. The study further explores the impact of skills shortage on the economic development of the country, unemployment poverty and the society at large. Finally, the research shows that respondents perceive that skills shortage does indeed have a negative impact on South Africa by being one of the causes of unemployment and poverty, and hence economic growth. While socially, respondents believe that skills shortage is the main driver of issues such as crime, violence, teenage pregnancy, prostitution, HIV/AIDS poverty and other social issues, which are prevalent nationwide.

Em 2010, instala-se na cidade de Palmas no Paraná, um Campus do Instituto Federal do Paraná (IFPR), com a missão de atuação na comunidade local e regional, tendo com um dos balizadores de atuação, o suporte aos Arranjos Produtivos Locais (APL´s). Neste contexto, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi o de avaliar as possibilidades e limites de atuação do Instituto Federal do Paraná – Campus Palmas nos Arranjos Produtivos Locais da região Sudoeste do Paraná. A pesquisa caracterizou-se como documental e de campo, exploratória. Os documentos institucionais utilizados foram a Lei n° 11.892/2008, de criação dos Institutos Federais, o Estatuto de Instituição do Instituto Federal do Paraná e a publicação Concepções e Diretrizes para Instalação dos Institutos Federais. Para a coleta de dados utilizou-se roteiro de entrevista semiestruturada com as governanças dos Arranjos Produtivos Locais (APL´s) da região Sudoeste do Paraná, no intuito de detectar a forma organizativa e cooperativa destes, bem como com empresas de cada APL visando se construir um diagnóstico setorial individual. Outro conjunto de entrevistas envolveu dirigentes de instituições de ensino técnico e profissional públicas e privadas, sendo, IFPR e sistema “S”, com o objetivo de detectar as formas de condução da educação profissional na região. O trabalho se estrutura em três partes essenciais, a primeira faz um resgate histórico da educação profissional no Brasil, desde as Escolas de Artes e Ofícios, no Período Colonial até culminar em 2008, com a instalação dos Institutos Federais. A segunda parte faz uma revisão conceitual sobre as teorias das aglomerações produtivas, chegando-se à terminologia adotada no Brasil, de Arranjos Produtivos Locais (APL´s). A terceira parte apresenta os resultados da pesquisa, na qual se identificou três Arranjos Produtivos Locais da região Sudoeste do Paraná, categorizados pelo IPARDES - confecções, móveis e software. A seguir, foi apresentado um diagnóstico individual de cada APL, com suas demandas específicas, para se avaliar as possibilidades de atuação do IFPR – Campus Palmas-PR. Além disso, avaliou-se a educação técnica e profissional na região lócus do estudo, a partir de suas instituições. Uma das conclusões evidencia uma principal deficiência, comum a todos os APL´s da região: a falta de mão de obra qualificada. Esta constatação abriria uma grande possibilidade de atuação do IFPR, se não fosse uma segunda conclusão obtida - a limitação geográfica - uma distância média de 200km entre o campus Palmas e os municípios de localização dos APL´s. Contudo, são cogitadas outras formas de suporte aos APL´s, através da pesquisa e inovação, participação nas governanças e o fomento a outras atividades econômicas locais que possuem potencial a tornarem-se APL´s. / A new campus of Federal Institute of Paraná was implemented in 2010, in the city of Palmas, Paraná. Its local e regional mission is to provide supporting actions to local clusters (arranjos produtivos locais – APL).The objective of this research was to discuss the possibilities and limitations of the relationship between the Federal Institute of Paraná - Campus Palmas and local clusters in the southwest region of Paraná. The methodology used was exploratory, documentary and field research. The institutional documents used were Law No. 11.892/2008, which describes the creation of the Federal Institutes, the Statute of the Institution of the Federal Institute of Paraná and publication Concepts and Installation Guidelines of the Federal Institutes. For the field research, semi-structured interviews with governance’s production arrangements were used, in order to detect its organizational and cooperative form and also with the companies in each cluster (APL) to build a sectorial and individual diagnostic. Another set of interviews addressed the institutions of technical and vocational education, IFPR, "S" system and private initiative, aiming to detect forms of conducting professional education in the region. The work is structured in three essential parts. The first is a historical review of vocational education in Brazil, from the Imperial period culminating in 2008, with the installation of the Federal Institutes. The second part is a review on conceptual theories of productive clusters, reaching the terminology adopted in Brazil, local clusters (APL's). The third part presents the results of the research, where it was identified as a local production of the southwest region of Paraná, categorized by IPARDES, the arrangement of clothing, furniture and software. It then presented a diagnostic of each individual APL, with its specific demands, to evaluate the possibilities of intervention of IFPR - Campus Palmas. In a second stage, the results evaluated the technical and vocational education in the region from its institutions. One of the conclusions was that the main shortcoming common to all APL's from the region is the lack of skilled labor. This finding would open a high possibility of IFPR performance, but a second conclusion obtained from geographical limitations brings a new challenge, because it was recorded an average distance of 200km between the IFPR campus and the municipalities of APL's location, making the teaching process not viable. However, other forms are contemplated to support APL's, through research and innovation and participation in governances. Finally, the essentially quantitative method of categorization of local clusters was questioned, which prevents the analysis of a series of economic activities of lower volume, but with significant potential for social inclusion, leading role of the Federal Institutes.

Em 2010, instala-se na cidade de Palmas no Paraná, um Campus do Instituto Federal do Paraná (IFPR), com a missão de atuação na comunidade local e regional, tendo com um dos balizadores de atuação, o suporte aos Arranjos Produtivos Locais (APL´s). Neste contexto, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi o de avaliar as possibilidades e limites de atuação do Instituto Federal do Paraná – Campus Palmas nos Arranjos Produtivos Locais da região Sudoeste do Paraná. A pesquisa caracterizou-se como documental e de campo, exploratória. Os documentos institucionais utilizados foram a Lei n° 11.892/2008, de criação dos Institutos Federais, o Estatuto de Instituição do Instituto Federal do Paraná e a publicação Concepções e Diretrizes para Instalação dos Institutos Federais. Para a coleta de dados utilizou-se roteiro de entrevista semiestruturada com as governanças dos Arranjos Produtivos Locais (APL´s) da região Sudoeste do Paraná, no intuito de detectar a forma organizativa e cooperativa destes, bem como com empresas de cada APL visando se construir um diagnóstico setorial individual. Outro conjunto de entrevistas envolveu dirigentes de instituições de ensino técnico e profissional públicas e privadas, sendo, IFPR e sistema “S”, com o objetivo de detectar as formas de condução da educação profissional na região. O trabalho se estrutura em três partes essenciais, a primeira faz um resgate histórico da educação profissional no Brasil, desde as Escolas de Artes e Ofícios, no Período Colonial até culminar em 2008, com a instalação dos Institutos Federais. A segunda parte faz uma revisão conceitual sobre as teorias das aglomerações produtivas, chegando-se à terminologia adotada no Brasil, de Arranjos Produtivos Locais (APL´s). A terceira parte apresenta os resultados da pesquisa, na qual se identificou três Arranjos Produtivos Locais da região Sudoeste do Paraná, categorizados pelo IPARDES - confecções, móveis e software. A seguir, foi apresentado um diagnóstico individual de cada APL, com suas demandas específicas, para se avaliar as possibilidades de atuação do IFPR – Campus Palmas-PR. Além disso, avaliou-se a educação técnica e profissional na região lócus do estudo, a partir de suas instituições. Uma das conclusões evidencia uma principal deficiência, comum a todos os APL´s da região: a falta de mão de obra qualificada. Esta constatação abriria uma grande possibilidade de atuação do IFPR, se não fosse uma segunda conclusão obtida - a limitação geográfica - uma distância média de 200km entre o campus Palmas e os municípios de localização dos APL´s. Contudo, são cogitadas outras formas de suporte aos APL´s, através da pesquisa e inovação, participação nas governanças e o fomento a outras atividades econômicas locais que possuem potencial a tornarem-se APL´s. / A new campus of Federal Institute of Paraná was implemented in 2010, in the city of Palmas, Paraná. Its local e regional mission is to provide supporting actions to local clusters (arranjos produtivos locais – APL).The objective of this research was to discuss the possibilities and limitations of the relationship between the Federal Institute of Paraná - Campus Palmas and local clusters in the southwest region of Paraná. The methodology used was exploratory, documentary and field research. The institutional documents used were Law No. 11.892/2008, which describes the creation of the Federal Institutes, the Statute of the Institution of the Federal Institute of Paraná and publication Concepts and Installation Guidelines of the Federal Institutes. For the field research, semi-structured interviews with governance’s production arrangements were used, in order to detect its organizational and cooperative form and also with the companies in each cluster (APL) to build a sectorial and individual diagnostic. Another set of interviews addressed the institutions of technical and vocational education, IFPR, "S" system and private initiative, aiming to detect forms of conducting professional education in the region. The work is structured in three essential parts. The first is a historical review of vocational education in Brazil, from the Imperial period culminating in 2008, with the installation of the Federal Institutes. The second part is a review on conceptual theories of productive clusters, reaching the terminology adopted in Brazil, local clusters (APL's). The third part presents the results of the research, where it was identified as a local production of the southwest region of Paraná, categorized by IPARDES, the arrangement of clothing, furniture and software. It then presented a diagnostic of each individual APL, with its specific demands, to evaluate the possibilities of intervention of IFPR - Campus Palmas. In a second stage, the results evaluated the technical and vocational education in the region from its institutions. One of the conclusions was that the main shortcoming common to all APL's from the region is the lack of skilled labor. This finding would open a high possibility of IFPR performance, but a second conclusion obtained from geographical limitations brings a new challenge, because it was recorded an average distance of 200km between the IFPR campus and the municipalities of APL's location, making the teaching process not viable. However, other forms are contemplated to support APL's, through research and innovation and participation in governances. Finally, the essentially quantitative method of categorization of local clusters was questioned, which prevents the analysis of a series of economic activities of lower volume, but with significant potential for social inclusion, leading role of the Federal Institutes.

Notre thèse porte sur le rôle de la libéralisation des échanges extérieurs dans les mutations qui ont eu lieu sur le marché du travail dans les pays en développement, cas de la Tunisie. Notre analyse se décompose en deux parties, la première étudie les fondements théoriques et leurs validations empiriques de la relation entre l’ouverture commerciale et le marché de l’emploi. La deuxième étudie les effets de l’ouverture commerciale sur le marché du travail tunisien. Nous présentons le degré d’intégration de la Tunisie dans l’économie mondiale ainsi que les différentes réformes du marché du travail qui ont eu lieu après l’adoption du programme d’ajustement structurel et la mise en œuvre des accords de libre-échange. Dans notre étude nous estimons un modèle à deux équations portant sur l’emploi et le salaire. Notre estimation se base sur deux approches, l’une à deux dimensions, temps et secteurs, et l’autre portant seulement sur le temps. Les principaux résultats sont:- Les importations et les exportations sont les variables les moins signifiantes car elles ont un effet marginal sur la demande de travail. À l’inverse, la production et l’emploi retardé sont les variables les plus explicatives et cela sans spécificité sectorielle. - La détermination du salaire réel dépend des importations et des exportations qui ont des effets différents à court ou à long terme selon le type de secteur (exportable, importable et non échangeable). Par ailleurs, l’emploi ainsi que la productivité des travailleurs qualifiés et non qualifiés sont des variables explicatives qui peuvent avoir une spécification sectorielle. Quant à la production, elle intervient différemment selon les secteurs. / Our thesis focuses on the role of liberalization of foreign trade in the changes that have taken place in the labor market in developing countries, notably the case of Tunisia. Our analysis is divided into two parts, the first looks at the theoretical foundations of the link between trade liberalization and labor market and their empirical validation, and the second looks at the effects of trade opening on the Tunisian labor market. We present the degree of integration of Tunisia in the global economy and the various reforms of the labor market that occurred after the adoption of the structural adjustment program and the implementation of free trade agreements, particularly with the European Union. In our study we estimate a two-equation model on employment and salary. Our estimate is based on two approaches, one in two dimensions, time and sectors, and the other only looking at the time dimension. The main results may be summarized as follows:- Imports and exports are the least meaningful variables because they have a marginal effect on labor demand. Conversely, production and employment with a time lag are the more explanatory variables without sectoral specificity.- The determination of the salary level adjusted for inflation depends on imports and exports which have different effects in the short or long term depending on the sector (exportable, importable and non-tradable). Moreover, employment and productivity of skilled and unskilled workers are explanatory variables and may have a sectoral specification. As for production, it operates differently in different sectors.

Purpose of this treatise: The aim of this research is to determine, if the skilled labour shortage has had any impact on how construction projects are executed. If there is an impact the study aims to determine the nature and extent of the problem. Design/methodology/approach: A review of related literature was conducted, mainly to ensure that existing research is not replicated, in order to generate new ideas. The quantitative research approach was applied for this research. The questionnaire was designed so that scores can be easily summed in order to obtain an overall measure of the attitudes and opinions of the respondents. Findings: The results revealed that the skilled labour shortage has a negative effect on how construction projects are executed. The results further revealed that the biggest concern amongst employers and management of construction companies was the negative impact the shortage of skilled labour has on the levels of workmanship. Research limitations: The sample (construction companies) is mostly situated in the Gauteng province of South Africa. Practical implications: The research is of importance to managers and supervisors of construction companies of all sizes. The findings of this study will assist in ensuring that projects are efficiently managed irrespective of the current skills crisis in the construction industry.

The current shortage of artisans in the Nigerian house construction sector has constrained the productivity of the sector and exacerbated the nation‟s housing problem. The persistent neglect of the artisan training system has negatively impacted on the stock of artisans available for house construction projects. Nigeria‟s large and fast-growing population of over 140 million with an estimated growth rate of 3.2 percent has engendered increased investment in shelter provision; especially by individuals and families due to fast rising housing rentals- mainly in the urban centres. Past policies have not adequately addressed the realities of the skills crisis occasioned by inadequate and neglected apprenticeship training and poorly developed vocational education and training systems. The fallout of this is manifested in the difficulties faced by developers in sourcing suitably qualified and experienced artisans for house construction projects. In response to this challenge, an upsurge of migrant artisans and craftsmen from neighbouring West African nations like Togo, Benin Republic and Ghana to Nigeria has occurred in the recent times. They were attracted by building contracting firms to fill the gap created by inadequate artisan supply that is currently being experienced locally. This development is totally unacceptable as it exacerbates the overarching socio-economic problems in Nigeria, especially the already high unemployment rate which is estimated to be 23.9 percent. This study has consequently investigated the inadequate training of house construction artisans in South Western Nigeria; evolving interventions and developing a strategic model for improving the artisan training system to ensure an adequate and sustainable artisan supply in the house construction sector. The model incorporates best practices, rethinking strategies and integrated approaches in mitigating the identified challenges. The model is underpinned by reviewed literature and empirical findings. Quantitative surveys and interviews were utilised as the data sources. The research findings show that the factors which negatively impact on the artisan training system in the house construction sector include: the poor image of artisans in society; lack of recruitment strategies for attracting potential artisans; inadequate policy framework for training and employment; a faulty and rigid National Qualification Framework (NQF); the non-participation of employers in training; a poor funding mechanism; a weak regulatory framework and corrupt practices in training administration. Recommendations for addressing the inadequate training of artisans include education policy reforms to give priority to vocational education; a new regime of funding for vocational education and training; a review of the National Qualification Framework to integrate the vocational colleges with the university system; a reform of the regulatory framework; public re-orientation on the societal image of the artisans; adoption of a new approach of public- private partnership in artisan training; the provision of incentives schemes to attract potential artisans and the appropriation of the proposed model for an integrated approach to addressing the challenges.

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