How Global Organisations use Lightcast Data to Power their Research

Data is power. We rely on data for virtually every aspect of our lives, and with reason: it enables us to reveal patterns, predict trends, and make informed decisions not just on trivial tasks but across larger realms - think education, finance, public policy, and healthcare, to name a few.

As a global leader in labour market analytics, Lightcast’s data is being used by some of the world's largest and most influential organisations to help power their own ground-breaking research, which often shapes key decisions and policies taken at a national or even international level.

We decided it was time to gather together some of the most significant work being done with Lightcast data, as well as that which was done during our pre-merger days as Emsi and Burning Glass, into one place. The result is Lightcast Global Research Collaborations: a showcase of just some of the awesome work that has been done over the years by organisations who have used our data to answer complex labour market questions.

How labour market data is used across the globe

Labour market data helps us analyse major economic and societal trends, from the growth of AI to potential labour market inequalities to the growth in green and cybersecurity skills.

The breadth of labour market data available provides us with an abundance of insights. Consider specific skills demand, hiring practices, wage growth, job creation or loss, or workforce demographics. You can zoom out to look at the broader picture or zoom into specific trends and regions.

In our new Global Research Collaborations page, we provide examples of how our data has been used by intergovernmental organisations; public policy bodies; think tanks; research institutes; professional bodies; and academic researchers,

Although the scope of each project is unique, they give you an idea of the kind of insights you can get by analysing our data. If you are looking to carry out research using real-time, highly accurate labour market insights, contact us to talk about how we can offer you the data to power your project.

Organisations that use our data in their research

Our new page contains details of each project, together with a link for those who want to find out more. In this article, we briefly summarise each project.

Intergovernmental organisations

It’s no secret that words have power, but to what extent can they influence larger labour market and societal trends? The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) used Lightcast data to cover a unique angle: masculine and feminine-coded words. It analysed how these words can affect the participation and positioning of women in the labour market. 

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has used Lightcast data to analyse demand for cybersecurity professionals across five countries, whilst the World Bank has used it to investigate how digital and non-digital skills can complement occupations across four Southeast Asian labour markets.

Public policy

Labour market data can guide various workforce development decisions, from employment and training strategies to interventions addressing a specific skills gap. The British Government's Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) used Lightcast data to understand the demand for digital skills nationwide, whilst at the European level the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) has analysed our online job postings to track demand for digital skills across occupations.

Public policy goes beyond research papers and data-powered platforms. In 2023, the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP) and OECD brought together 100 policy-makers and researchers for an in-person symposium to discuss how digitalisation impacts apprenticeships. Among the participants were our Lightcast economists, who unveiled the latest digital skills trends in apprenticeship–level roles. 

Think Tanks

Think tanks are using Lightcast data to build evidence-based research to understand what a future-ready workforce looks like. Brussel's-based Bruegel, for instance, used Lightcast’s job posting data to build a Twin Transition dashboard, looking at growing demand for green and AI roles across all 27 EU member states. 

With job opportunities extending beyond borders, labour market dynamics have changed. US-based Brookings Institution analysed occupation-to-occupation transitions to identify employee mobility gaps and gather insight on how to address them, whilst the UK's Centre for Cities leveraged our data to unravel what skills will be needed in the future and what needs to be done to prepare for this demand. 

Research Institutes

Lightcast data is being used throughout the globe to inform high-quality, independent research across borders. The Mitsubishi Research Institute (MRI) used our data to assess skills demand in Japan and promote a common skills-based language within the Japanese market. The global research network CESIFO, headquartered in Germany, has also investigated a skills-based hiring approach, specifically zooming in on green and AI job postings. 

In the US, Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Shaping the Future of Work Initiative used our job postings data to understand AI adoption in the US and related skill requirements. 

Professional Bodies

Zeroing in on specific labour market sectors and regions, the world’s oldest scientific academy - The Royal Society - drew on our job postings data to analyse six local economies in the UK. Their report unveiled the gaps between skills supply and demand both between and within these economies. 

From science to technology, the Australian Computer Society (ACS), a professional association for Australia’s information and communications technology (ICT) sector, used Lightcast to analyse millions of Australian job postings. The result is a comprehensive report detailing the skills, wages, demand, and other major ICT sector trends since 2016. 

We are also the proud labour market intelligence partner of the World Employment Confederation (WEC), for whom we recently developed the Online Labour Market GPS. This AI-based tool shows WEC and its members the online staffing market at global and national levels, augmenting their research capabilities.

Academic Research

Aside from being one of the world's most prestigious universities, Stanford University is widely known for its research. In its Artificial Intelligence Index Report 2024, the university accessed Lightcast data to measure global AI skills demand and AI trends in the US. 

The London School of Economics, another highly reputable and world-renowned university, used Lightcast data to explore a different and much more niche topic: the low-carbon transition. Our data enabled the LSE team to analyse the demand for low-carbon jobs and emerging skills gaps in this sector.  

Academics can also use lightcast data to explore general country and region-wide trends. For instance, the University of Florence leveraged Lightcast data to explore variations and similarities in skills profiles within the broader Italian labour market and at the regional level. 

Interested in seeing how our labour market data can power your research? We would love to show you the breadth and granularity of our data and discuss how we can help provide the data and insights to meet your specific project needs. Get in touch below.