Meeting the skills gap: Lessons from the private sector
English
Employers' organizations
Employers invest in training in order to improve productivity, innovate and adopt new technologies, and compete in changing markets. Case studies and research from individual employers and associations of employers on the Global KSP deal with apprenticeship and workplace skills provision, quality assurance and governance of training institutions, and employers’ roles in anticipating skill needs and in influencing national and sector policies on skills development.
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.
Access to training
Access for all to good quality education, vocational training and workplace learning is a fundamental principle of social cohesion and economic growth. Some groups of people may require targeted attention if they are to benefit from education, training and employment opportunities.
This is particularly the case for disadvantaged youth, lower skilled workers, people with disabilities, and people in rural communities. The attractiveness of vocational education and training is enhanced when combined with entrepreneurship training and when public policies encourage utilization of higher skills by business.
Training quality and relevance
Case studies and good practices
Case studies that document good practices and illustrate the benefits and lessons learnt of particular approaches or methods in real practice.
To address this key challenge, some large companies operating in emerging markets have taken proactive steps and initiated training programs that empower not only their workforce, but also their suppliers, retailers, and the surrounding communities. This booklet presents these business solutions: five programs initiated and currently scaled up by ITC, SABMiller, and Vale, three WBCSD member companies with a significant presence in emerging markets. The case studies depicted below demonstrate that companies, in collaboration with the public sector and educational institutions, can play a significant role toward successfully increasing the skills and employability of thousands of people.