ILO and the Government of Norway sign a new partnership agreement on skills development and lifelong learning
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
Lifelong learning
There is a critical need for a greater overall investment in education and training, particularly in developing countries. Education and training investments should be closely linked to economic and employment growth strategies and programmes. Responsibility should be shared between the government (primary responsibility), enterprises, the social partners, and the individual. To make lifelong learning for all a reality, countries will need to make major reforms of their vocational and education and training systems. School-to-work schemes for young people should integrate education with workplace learning. Training systems need to become more flexible and responsive to rapidly changing skill requirements. Reforms should also focus on how learning can be facilitated, not just on training for specific occupational categories.
Promotional material
Presentations, discussion papers, meeting reports, promotional materials, videos, fact sheets, brochures and newsletters on skills development for employment.
Through this lightly earmarked contribution for the ILO’s development cooperation activities, Norway will support skills development and lifelong learning in Ethiopia, Ghana, Lebanon, Malawi, Senegal and Tanzania through:
- Providing timely, accurate and forward-looking anticipation of future skills needs;
- Increasing the number of women and men benefiting from skills and lifelong learning programmes and services;
- Strengthening effective governance and coordination in skills systems to improve policies and financing arrangements; and
- Enhancing global knowledge base, innovation, partnerships and capacity building to empower constituents to tackle contemporary skills challenges.
It will continue to support constituents by providing technical expertise, building capacity, and supporting them to implement pilot programmes, with a particular attention given to vulnerable groups. This partnership ultimately contributes to achieving Outcome 5 of the ILO’s Programme and Budget 2022-23 , Skills and lifelong learning to facilitate access to and transitions in the labour market.