Why We Need to Recognise and Enhance the Skills of Rural Dwellers

Introduction

A report from the?European Economic and Social Committee ?at the end of 2022 identified that the appeal of living in the countryside may have grown over the past few years, but many rural areas in the EU still battle with a number of problems that prevent people from staying or moving there. Despite the overall growth in employment and their improved image, rural areas – which account for 80% of the EU's territory and are home to 30% of its population - are still lagging behind cities and towns on many points.

However, the importance of recognising and enhancing the skills of rural dwellers remains a critical step in addressing socio-economic disparities, fostering sustainable development, and building inclusive and prosperous societies. By investing in the potential of rural communities, we can unlock a wealth of talent, creativity, and innovation that can benefit not only rural areas but society as a whole.

Recognising and enhancing the skills of rural dwellers is crucial for several reasons:

• Economic development:?Rural areas often face economic challenges such as limited job opportunities and a lack of industries. By recognising and enhancing the skills of rural dwellers, we can unlock their potential and empower them to contribute to local economic development. This can lead to the creation of new businesses, improved agricultural practices, and the development of cottage industries, all of which can boost the overall economic growth of rural communities.
• Poverty alleviation:?Rural areas are often disproportionately affected by poverty. By recognising and enhancing the skills of rural dwellers, we can help them acquire new knowledge and abilities that can improve their employability and income-generating opportunities. This can ultimately lift individuals and communities out of poverty and create a more equitable society.
• Retaining local talent:?In many rural areas, there is a tendency for educated and skilled individuals to migrate to urban centres in search of better opportunities. This brain drain can hinder the development of rural communities. By recognising and enhancing the skills of rural dwellers, we can create an environment that fosters personal and professional growth, encouraging talented individuals to remain in their communities and contribute to local development.
• Sustainable development:?Enhancing the skills of rural dwellers is essential for achieving sustainable development. By providing training in areas such as sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and environmental conservation, rural communities can adopt practices that protect natural resources, mitigate climate change, and promote long-term sustainability.
• Social cohesion:?Recognising and enhancing skills in rural areas can lead to increased social cohesion and community engagement. When individuals are empowered and have opportunities to contribute their talents, they become more invested in their communities. This can foster a sense of pride, unity, and collaboration among rural dwellers, leading to the development of vibrant and resilient communities.

Identifying the Skills of Rural Dwellers

A report from the?International Labour Office ?identified that skills are central to improve employability and livelihood opportunities, reduce poverty, enhance productivity, and promote environmentally sustainable development.

Using skills mapping to uncover the skills of rural dwellers can be a valuable approach to identify and leverage the unique talents and abilities within rural communities. Here are the steps Abodoo recommend when conducting a skills mapping within a specific region:

• Define the purpose:?Clearly articulate the objective of the skills mapping exercise. Determine whether you are looking to identify skills for employment opportunities, community development projects, or other purposes. This will help guide the process.
• Engage the community:?Reach out to the rural community members and organizations to involve them in the skills mapping exercise. Explain the purpose, benefits, and potential outcomes of the initiative. Seek their participation and input to ensure a comprehensive mapping process.
• Design a skills survey:?Develop a skills survey or questionnaire that captures relevant information. Include questions about education, work experience, vocational training, hobbies, and any specialized skills or knowledge. Make sure the survey is easy to understand and accessible to participants.
• Administer the survey:?Distribute the skills survey within the rural community using various methods such as online platforms, paper forms, or community gatherings. Encourage maximum participation by ensuring the process is convenient and inclusive.
• Gather and analyse data:?Collect the completed skills surveys and compile the data for analysis. Use appropriate tools such as spreadsheets or database systems to organise and categorise the skills information. Identify common themes, trends, and clusters of skills within the community.
• Validate and verify skills:?Where possible, verify the skills identified through interviews, reference checks, or practical assessments. This step helps ensure accuracy and reliability of the skills mapping data.
• Create a skills inventory:?Develop a comprehensive skills inventory or database based on the collected information. Categorise skills into different domains such as technical skills, interpersonal skills, creative skills, etc. This inventory will serve as a valuable resource for various initiatives and opportunities.
• Identify opportunities:?Analyse the skills inventory to identify potential employment opportunities, entrepreneurship prospects, or areas where the skills can be utilised for community development projects. Look for gaps where additional training or support may be needed.
• Develop partnerships:?Collaborate with local organisations, educational institutions, and businesses to create training programs, mentorship opportunities, or job placements based on the identified skills. Encourage partnerships that can contribute to skill development and economic growth within the rural community.
• Monitor and evaluate:?Continuously monitor and evaluate the impact of the skills mapping exercise. Track the outcomes, successes, and challenges faced by individuals and the community as a whole. Use this feedback to improve future skills mapping initiatives.

It is important to note that skills mapping is an ongoing process that requires community engagement and commitment. It can help uncover hidden talents and empower rural dwellers by connecting their skills with opportunities for personal and economic growth.

The Importance of Skills Mapping in Rural Areas

Skills mapping plays a crucial role in unlocking the potential of rural communities. It enables effective resource allocation, encourages collaboration, and promotes sustainable development, ultimately leading to improved livelihoods and well-being for individuals living in rural areas. Furthermore, skills mapping in rural areas is of significant importance for the following reasons:

• Economic development:?Skills mapping helps identify the unique talents and expertise within rural communities. By understanding the skills available, local economic development initiatives can be better tailored to leverage these talents, promote entrepreneurship, and create employment opportunities. This can lead to increased income generation, improved livelihoods, and overall economic growth in rural areas.
• Resource optimisation:?Skills mapping allows for the optimal utilization of resources within rural communities. By identifying the skills present, it becomes easier to match available resources, such as infrastructure, funding, or training programs, with the specific needs and capabilities of individuals. This ensures that resources are efficiently allocated, leading to maximum productivity and outcomes.
• Local empowerment:?Skills mapping empowers individuals in rural areas by recognising and valuing their unique skills and expertise. It helps build self-confidence and self-esteem among community members, as their contributions are acknowledged and utilised. This can lead to a sense of pride, motivation, and an increased willingness to actively participate in community development efforts.
• Knowledge preservation:?Rural communities often have traditional or specialized knowledge that is passed down through generations. Skills mapping helps identify and document these valuable skills, ensuring their preservation and transmission to future generations. This contributes to the preservation of cultural heritage and ensures the continuity of important practices.
• Collaboration and networking:?Skills mapping enables better collaboration and networking among individuals with complementary skills. By understanding the skills present within the community, individuals can connect with others who possess complementary expertise, leading to collaboration on projects, sharing of knowledge, and joint initiatives. This facilitates the exchange of ideas, fosters innovation, and strengthens community ties.
• Targeted training and capacity building:?Skills mapping provides insights into the specific areas where training and capacity-building programs are needed. By identifying the skills gaps within rural communities, targeted training initiatives can be developed to address those gaps. This ensures that training programs are relevant, focused, and aligned with the needs of individuals and the local economy.
• Sustainable development:?Skills mapping contributes to sustainable development in rural areas. By understanding the skills and expertise available, development interventions can be designed to capitalise on local strengths, promote environmentally friendly practices, and ensure the long-term viability of economic activities. This helps create resilient and self-reliant rural communities.
• Policy and decision-making:?Skills mapping provides valuable data for policymakers, organisations, and agencies working in rural development. It informs evidence-based decision-making, helping policymakers understand the potential and limitations of rural areas, and design targeted policies and interventions that support the growth and development of these communities.

Key Takeaways

Investing in the potential of rural communities can have far-reaching benefits for both the individuals and society as a whole.?

• Addressing socio-economic disparities:?Rural areas often face greater socio-economic disparities compared to urban areas. Recognising and enhancing rural skills can help bridge this gap by providing opportunities for economic growth, employment, and income generation. By equipping rural dwellers with relevant skills, they can actively contribute to their own well-being and the overall development of their communities.
• Fostering sustainable development:?Rural areas are often rich in natural resources and have the potential to contribute significantly to sustainable development. By recognising and enhancing the skills of rural dwellers, they can be empowered to engage in sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, conservation efforts, and other environmentally friendly practices. This fosters sustainable development by promoting responsible resource management and reducing the ecological footprint of rural communities.
• Building inclusive societies:?Inclusivity is crucial for the well-being of any society. By investing in the skills of rural dwellers, we promote inclusivity by ensuring that individuals in rural areas have equal access to opportunities, education, and resources. This helps prevent marginalization and exclusion, creating a more cohesive and equitable society where everyone can participate and contribute.
• Unlocking talent, creativity, and innovation:?Rural communities are often home to diverse talents, creativity, and innovative ideas. However, due to limited access to resources and opportunities, these talents may go untapped. Recognising and enhancing rural skills can unleash this untapped potential, allowing rural dwellers to contribute their unique perspectives, knowledge, and ideas to various fields, such as agriculture, technology, entrepreneurship, and the arts. This can lead to new solutions, increased productivity, and overall societal progress.
• Spill over effects on society:?The benefits of investing in rural skills extend beyond rural areas themselves. As rural dwellers gain new skills and opportunities, they can positively impact neighbouring urban areas and society as a whole. This can include knowledge sharing, increased productivity, innovation diffusion, and improved collaboration between rural and urban communities. By recognising and enhancing rural skills, we create a positive ripple effect that benefits society as a whole.

By

Fiona Whelan, Director of Education and Skills

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The Skills Research involves mapping the skills demanded by industry at both a national and international level. Abodoo begins by classifying specific industry skills demands by sector, profession, and generic skills being sought across businesses/organisations. This is followed by the condensing SIC codes of industries (and professions) to develop a comprehensive understanding of the demand for specific skills. As a subset, Abodoo also considers the skills sought by large, SME, micro, NGO/Public organisations. To ensure the platform provides a comprehensive view, Abodoo?samples national and international recruitment sites continuously over a period of every 6 months. The outcome is an accurate insight into the skills demands of the industry, which will form the basis of the subsequent phases of the project.

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Abodoo’s skills mapping solution creates a dynamic visualisation of a region’s skills data allowing for the identification and understanding of any skills gaps plus the extraction of?future skills needs. Supporting great diversity and inclusion of underrepresented groups in the workplace by using anonymised skills matching.

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