Labour markets are becoming more dynamic in response to pressures from globalisation, new technologies and trade agreements, as well as cross-border migration, inter-generation differences, changing education imperatives and employer expectations. By focusing on several Asia Pacific countries, this book explores the differences in their workforces: ageing, or abundant in labour but lacking in skilled employees. One similarity these countries share is the difficulty in attracting and retaining employees with the required skillset and capabilities, and these constraints can stymie national economic growth and long term development.

This book brings together national and international perspectives on employability challenges faced by selected countries in the Asia Pacific region. While the region is forecast to enjoy high growth in the coming decade, a recurring challenge is addressing skill shortages and ensuring effective transition from training colleges and universities into employment. Consequently, the book focuses on the roles of multiple stakeholders, primarily: governments, education providers and employers – in more effectively addressing these key socio-economic challenges.

‘This book focuses on the Asia Pacific region, aiming to understand how tertiary education prepares young people to meet the skills and capabilities required by national labour markets. Specifically, it is concerned with ‘work readiness’ of graduates…This book draws on the expertise of those who specialise in, and often have personal experience of, each of the countries covered, which adds to the nuance of comment on education systems and labour markets, especially in countries that have fewer official statistics available. The book provides a strong foundation of information that could easily lead to further volumes further exploring the role of employers in the development of skill and capability, and including a greater range of Pacific countries.’ ─ Journal of Industrial Relations, Volume 62 Issue 1, February 2020

Roslyn Cameron is Associate Professor and Head of HRM Discipline at the Australian Institute of Business. She is also Co-Convenor of the Mixed Methods Special Interest Group (MMR SIG) of the Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management (ANZAM). Subas P. Dhakal is Lecturer at Curtin Business School in Curtin University. He is a management academic with expertise in the theory and practice of sustainable development. John Burgess is Professor of Management at RMIT University, Australia. His research interests include HRM practices of multinational enterprises, the relationship between working time and health, and work in care sectors.