PhD defence Renata Mayer Gukovas

Keywords: Occupational mobility, Skill Transferability, Green Transition, Labor Market Resilience

"Skills For Resilience: Human capital and occupational mobility across dynamic labor markets"

This research examines whether the skills linked to workers’ occupations help them adapt when economic conditions change. It explores three situations: everyday career transitions in Brazil, job loss due to firm closures, and the effects of the green transition in Europe and Central Asia.

In Brazil, the analysis of career changes shows that workers are more likely to move successfully into new occupations when the skills they already possess are similar to those required in related jobs. When workers lose their jobs, those whose skills can be applied in other occupations tend to return to work more quickly, although they often face lower wages in the short term. In the context of the green transition, the study identifies which groups are more exposed to structural change and which may face greater difficulty entering growing occupations when their existing skills are less aligned with new job requirements.

Overall, the findings suggest that supporting workers through economic transitions requires a balanced mix of income protection and targeted policies that help them apply their skills in new opportunities.

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