Skill Formation Trajectories and Promotion

Focus on Breadth and Depth in Work Experience by Period

Abstract

This study clarifies the structure of skill formation and promotion by quantitatively analyzing the relationship between types of skill formation and promotion and determinants of how workers are allocated to each type of skill formation. The study identifies four patterns of skill formation of workers in their 20s-40s : （1） “developing expertise within one function,” in which workers improve their expertise in a specific function after reaching the age of 30 and three patterns that extend skill formation while in their 20s ; （2） “broadening their skills within one function ;” （3） “performing one job within one function ;“ and （4） “skill formation over some functions.” The “developing expertise within one function” has higher promotion rates compared to others. However, it is comparable to the “skill formation over multiple functions” in terms of promotion to section managers and above. Meanwhile, assignment to the “developing expertise within one function” is influenced by workers’ potential such as educational background and academic achievement. Overall, the findings suggest that skill formation regarding promotion requires knowledge breadth and depth, and such pattern is shaped by individuals’ potential.