Ghana's Oil and Gas Sector Skills Strategy
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
Anticipating and matching skills needs
Anticipating and building skills for the future is essential to a rapidly changing labour market. This applies to changes in the types and levels of skills needed as well as in occupational and technical areas. Effective methods to anticipate future skills needs and avoid potential mismatches include: sustained dialogue between employers and trainers, coordination across government institutions, labour market information systems, employment services and performance reviews of training institutions.
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.
Policy and strategy
Recommendations and advice on resolving policy challenges related to skills development systems and their linkages to the world of work. Concise syntheses of experience from the international organizations.
The ILO's Global Programme on Skills and Lifelong Learning/SKILL-UP Ghana project supported the Ghanaian Commission of Technical Vocation Education and Training (CTVET) in the establishment of the Oil and Gas Sector Skills Body (SSB) and developed a skills strategy for the sector. This strategy outlines the current and future skills and labour needs for the sector and sets out a comprehensive action plan to ensure that the supply of skills and labour meets those needs.
Ghana’s oil and gas sector is a key driver for the national economy in terms of attracting foreign investments and creating employment opportunities. It is regarded as a catalyst to move the country into the upper-middle income category. A skilled and productive workforce is needed to maximize this potential. However, evidence suggests that the sector lacks essential skills in a variety of occupational areas.
Skills mismatch and shortages are a common challenge in many countries, where job candidates and the existing workforce do not have the skills to meet labour market requirements. In response to this challenge, countries have been adopting a demand-driven skills development approach that aims to provide individuals with the current and future skills required by the labour market through more effective linkages between technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions and the labour market.
ILO’s Skill Up Ghana project supported the Ghanaian Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET) in the establishment of the Oil and Gas Sector Skills Body (SSB) with the aim of implementing a demand led TVET offer for this sector.
ILO’s Skills for Trade and Economic Diversification (STED) approach was applied to the oil and gas sector, leading to the development of a skills strategy. This document, elaborated with members of the Oil and Gas SSB, outlines this strategy and the proposed actions to address the sector’s skill needs.
Oil and gas industry
Africa
