ILO/WTO Book Launch: Investing in skills for more inclusive trade
English
ILO
The International Labour Organization is the tripartite U.N. agency that promotes Decent Work through employment, social security, labour standards and social dialogue. Its work on skills development is guided by the conceptual framework on Skills to improve productivity, employment growth, and development agreed in 2008 by representatives of Governments, Employers’ Associations and Workers’ Associations. Research, policy advice, and pilot projects and technical cooperation programmes to apply good practices in different circumstances across its 185 member States aims to boost the employability of workers, the productivity and competitiveness of enterprises, and the inclusiveness of economic growth. The ILO Secretariat in offices in 40 countries works with Ministries of Labour, employers’ organizations, and trade unions to integrate skills development into national and sector development strategies in order to better meet current labour market needs and to prepare for the jobs of the future; to expand access to employment-related training so that youth, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups are better able to acquire skills and secure productive and decent work; and to improve the ability of public employment services to provide career guidance, maintain labour exchange services, and deliver active labour market programmes.For more information regarding the ILO’s work on skills and employability go to: http://www.ilo.org/skills/lang--en/index.htm; for ILO/Cinterfor's Knowledge Management Plarform, see: http://www.oitcinterfor.org
Other sources
Experts from many international, regional and national agencies generously share their views, experiences and findings on skills, helping policy-makers among other stakeholders to understand the linkages between education, training and the world of work, and how to integrate skills into national development planning to promote employment and economic growth.
Sectoral approaches
Matching skills to labour market demand requires reliable sectoral and occupational information and institutions that connect employers with training providers. Sector based strategies and institutions have proved effective in engaging all stakeholders in promoting both pre-employment training and life-long learning.
Promotional material
Presentations, discussion papers, meeting reports, promotional materials, videos, fact sheets, brochures and newsletters on skills development for employment.
This publication, co-published by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Labour Office (ILO), builds on previous collaboration between the two organizations. It focuses on the linkages between trade and skills and between trade and skills development policies.
The publication argues that in the fast-changing context of globalization, where technology and trade relations evolve rapidly, the responsiveness of skills supply to demand is particularly important. Drawing on the findings from relevant literature and from the ILO's Skills for Trade and Economic Diversification (STED) programme, this publication shows that appropriate skills development policies are key to helping firms participate in trade, and also to helping workers find good jobs.
Programme:
Welcome address and launch of the publication
10.00 – 10.30
Roberto Azevêdo
WTO Director-General
Guy Ryder
ILO Director-General
Question and answer session
Moderated by Keith Rockwell, WTO Spokesperson
Presentation of the publication
10.30 – 11.10
Introductory remarks by the session chairs
Azita Berar
Director of the ILO's Employment Policy Department
Robert Koopman
Director of the WTO's Economic Research and Statistics Division
Presentation by the lead authors
Marc Bacchetta
Counsellor, Economic Research and Statistics Division, WTO
Cornelius Gregg
Senior Technical Specialist, Skills and Employability, Employment Policy Department, ILO
Comments by discussants
11.10 - 11.30
Questions and answers
11.30 - 12.00 Registration
Registration is mandatory to gain access to the WTO building and to facilitate seating arrangements, except for those already in possession of a WTO badge. To register, please send an email to [email protected] at least 48 hours before the event, stating your name and affiliation. Participants without WTO accreditation need to go to the Welcome Pavilion, where a badge will be provided once a passport or official identity card is presented. Please allow an extra 15 minutes for completion of security and registration procedures.