Labor Markets

Abstract

Peripheral and rural areas in the Alpine space are subjected to a rapid aging process, which directly affects regional economies. Particularly small and medium sized enterprises will struggle with a limited number of skilled labour in the near future. A declining working age population requires an adaptation of most regional economies. In close cooperation, enterprises and professional associations have to develop strategic approaches to sustain the regional workforce. Initially, this chapter gives an insight into a participatory process for policy making to develop measures against brain drain. A second project illustrates how to identify risks and opportunities of a medium sized enterprise, which is affected by the changing age structure of its labour force and shows how to define specific objectives and measures in a participatory way. Third, tourism as an important regional economic sector in most Alpine regions was addressed by a project, which aimed to develop a certification system for regional tourism enterprises to attract young professionals and to improve the quality within the tourism sector. A fourth project provides insight into an information campaign, designed to improve nursing and social care services. The last project in this chapter illustrates how to counteract the increasing requirements, given by new technologies and technical devices in the care sector, with an innovative design of an apprenticeship as technical care assistant.