Kick-off symposium Academic Collaborative Center for an Inclusive Labor Market
On April 15, this kick-off symposium took place at the LocHal in Tilburg. The symposium served as an initial meeting of various societal partners with researchers from Tilburg University. Together, they explored the challenges and opportunities for achieving an inclusive labor market that works for everyone and how scientific research can contribute to this. This event was the first step towards the initiative’s research and impact agenda.
Contributing to an inclusive labor market
Ton Wilthagen, academic leader of the Academic Collaborative Center for an Inclusive Labor Market and professor of Labor Market, opened the symposium and explained examples of how the labor market does not yet work for everyone. For instance, there are about 1.2 million people who represent unknown talent and are willing and able to work, but are still not visible. Additionally, there are many people who do work, but in a manner that is not valuable, not 'profitable', or not healthy.
The academic collaborative center aims to contribute to an inclusive labor market designed to maintain broad prosperity despite aging populations and various transitions. Broad prosperity not only focuses on wealth but also on people's well-being, not just here and now, but also elsewhere and later.
Concretization of the four themes
In the workshop, partners and researchers from various disciplines collaborate on issues related to an inclusive labor market. Together, they assess which research questions deserve attention. During the kick-off symposium, the initially formulated themes were evaluated with the presence of organizations, governments, and scholars. They discussed the necessary changes regarding these themes and how research could contribute to them. This concretization is used to further shape the research and impact agenda of the academic workshop. The themes discussed revolve around job security (retaining people in the labor market), access to the labor market for every talent, focusing on skills and inclusive technology, and engaging youth in the labor market.
The discussions brought forth a variety of topics. These include the importance of non-traditional role models in the labor market, selecting managers based on their 'inclusive mindset,' and inclusivity as a subject at all levels of an organization. The work-life balance was also discussed, as the boundaries between work and personal life blur increasingly with the rise of remote work. For instance, it should be natural for personal matters to be discussable at work.
Room for inspiration
In addition to these discussions, there was room for inspiration around the theme. For instance, Janneke Oostrom, professor of Labor and Organizational Psychology, spoke about research on new technologies in personnel selection. She worked with psychologists, computer scientists, and practical partners on an AI model for conducting digital interviews where candidates' personalities are objectively measured. Also providing food for thought were the creative improvisation on the labor market by Peer de Graaf aka Peertje Praatjesmaker, and the song 'Krapte snapte', about a tight labor market.
Marike Knoef, dean at Tilburg University and administratively responsible for the Academic Collaborative Center for an Inclusive Labor Market, concluded the afternoon by thanking all participants and emphasizing the importance of cooperation between Tilburg University and various outside stakeholders.
Interested in joining the collaborative center?
Does your organization's expertise align with one (or more) of the four themes mentioned? Are you looking to explore a collaboration and active contribution to the Academic Collaborative Center for an Inclusive Labor Market? If so, please contact project manager Esther van Vliet. You can also subscribe to the newsletter, to stay informed.