Rethinking Health Training Systems to Address Persistent Global Staff Shortages

A new OECD and ILO report finds that rigid, traditional education systems alone cannot solve global healthcare worker shortages and calls for more flexible, modular training pathways into entry-level roles. By combining shorter courses, workplace learning, digital tools and recognition of prior experience, countries can expand the health workforce faster while maintaining quality care.

Healthcare systems around the world are under pressure. Populations are ageing, chronic diseases are rising, and more people need long-term and community-based care. At the same time, many doctors and nurses are retiring. The result is a widening gap between demand and supply. In some regions of Africa and South Asia, population growth is faster than the growth of the health workforce. Even in wealthy countries, patients face long waiting times and difficulty accessing services.

A joint report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the International Labour Organization, developed with support from the World Health Organization, argues that traditional solutions alone will not fix the problem. Simply expanding medical school places takes years and requires major investment. Healthcare systems need faster, more flexible ways to bring people into the workforce.

Why Traditional Education Is Not Enough

Training a doctor or nurse takes many years. While these professions remain essential, relying only on long university degrees does not solve urgent shortages. Many adults who are already working or caring for families cannot step away for a full-time, multi-year study.

At the same time, evidence shows that highly trained professionals often spend part of their time on tasks that do not require their level of expertise. This suggests that healthcare systems could work more efficiently if support-level roles were strengthened. Entry-level jobs such as healthcare assistants, community health workers and long-term care staff play a critical role in patient care. Expanding pathways into these roles can relieve pressure on doctors and nurses while maintaining service quality.

Flexible Learning Opens New Doors

The report highlights flexible learning as a key solution. Adult learners often struggle with rigid schedules, financial pressures and limited access to training centres. Modular training allows people to complete smaller units of learning at their own pace. Instead of committing to a full degree, learners can earn certificates step by step and build toward higher qualifications over time.

Countries such as Denmark and the Philippines have introduced systems that allow students to move between vocational and higher education without repeating courses. In the United Kingdom, NHS apprenticeships combine paid work with classroom training, giving adults the chance to earn while they learn.

Digital tools are also helping. Online platforms and blended learning programmes allow students to study from home or in remote areas. India’s tele-mentoring initiatives connect rural health workers with specialists in cities, helping them upgrade their skills without relocating. However, digital access must be reliable and inclusive for these solutions to succeed.

Professionalising Long-Term and Community Care

Long-term care is one of the fastest-growing areas of need. As more people live longer, demand for home-based and residential care continues to rise. Yet personal care workers often receive limited training and have few opportunities for career progression.

Several countries are working to change this. Structured training programmes, nationally recognised certifications and clearer career ladders are being introduced to professionalise care work. In Thailand, community-based long-term care programmes train caregivers and care managers to support elderly people at home. In the Philippines, caregiving qualifications combine classroom instruction with practical assessments, helping workers gain formal recognition.

Recognising prior learning is another important step. Many caregivers and community health workers already have valuable experience. Countries such as Norway, Japan and South Africa allow these skills to be assessed and certified, reducing unnecessary retraining and opening doors to better jobs.

Building a Stronger Workforce for the Future

Career guidance also plays a vital role. Healthcare pathways can be confusing, especially for adults considering a mid-career change. Clear information, digital career portals and personalised counselling help people understand their options and training requirements. Norway’s Men in Health programme, for example, encourages unemployed men to enter care professions, helping diversify and expand the workforce.

The report stresses that flexible pathways should not replace traditional professional education. Doctors, nurses and specialists remain essential. Instead, flexibility should complement existing systems, making healthcare careers more accessible while maintaining high standards.

By combining modular training, workplace learning, digital tools, recognition of prior experience and strong career guidance, countries can expand their health workforce more quickly and inclusively. In doing so, they can build healthcare systems that are better prepared for rising demand and future challenges.