Skills acquisition: workplace learning and workers’ productivity

While investments in human capital at young age are most profitable, training investments at workplaces at later ages are also important. This entry looks at the drivers of these investments and their impact on employee productivity. Four types of workplace learning are discussed: formal training activities, learning-by-doing, learning from workplace peers, and learning from external peers. In addition to the importance of all four types of investment, empirical studies show steep learning curves in learning-by-doing activities, and that spill-over effects from peers are more prevalent in high-skilled work settings.