Skills in Services. The Dynamics of Competence Requirement in Different Types of Advanced Producer Services. Some Evidence from Norway

In this article some light is shed on educational background and competence in advanced producer services on two analytical levels: ( 1 ) at the macro level, by cross-tabulating educational background of the work force in banking and finance and in consultancy activities and their location in the urban hierarchy in Norway at the 1990 Census; (2) at the micro level, by inquiring more minutely into the quality and qualifications of the work force, including upgrading of competence beyond formal educational background of employees. This is obtained through in-depth studies which are not necessarily representative. As expected, the macro level study disclosed a markedly higher educational level in consultancy as compared to banking and finance, but with less regional polarisation in the former than in the latter activity. The micro level inquiry, restricted to the consultancy sectoq showed continued upgrading of formal competence over time. Both internal and external measures are being used to upgrade the ability of staff by an increasing alliance building, networking and exchange, this practice being most widespread among the most specialised metropolitan firms.