Skip to main content

Towards a redefinition of employability for the Southern African region (regional)

Towards a redefinition of employability for the Southern African region (regional)

Kind:
Event
Start Date:
25 Nov 2025
End Date:
04 Jun 2026
Event Location:
Online
EventType:
Language:

English

Slug
english
Identifier
skpEng
Language Version:
--
Sources:

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.

Thumbnail
Identifier
skpOSource
Slug
other-sources
Topics:

Rural employment

Thumbnail

Eight out of 10 of the world’s working poor who live on US $1.25 per day live in rural areas, where many are caught in vulnerable employment, especially in agriculture.Flourishing rural areas are vital to regional and national development. Yet, rural economies tend to face a wide range of challenges that urban areas are more likely to overcome. These include access to transportation, sanitation and health services, and a consumer base in close proximity to support small and medium enterprise development. Women and men working in rural areas also face difficulties associated with a paucity of economic opportunities, under investment, poor infrastructure and public services, including education, and, in many cases, weak governance and underdeveloped markets.

Education, entrepreneurship, and physical and social infrastructure all play an important role in developing rural regions. Skills are central to improving employability and livelihood opportunities, reducing poverty, enhancing productivity and promoting environmentally sustainable development.

Identifier
skpREmpl
Slug
rural-employment

Youth employability

Thumbnail

Globally, nearly 68 million young women and men are looking for and available for work,  and an estimated 123 million young people are working but living in poverty. The number who are not in employment, education or training (NEET) stands at 267 million, a majority of whom are young women. Significantly, young people are three times as likely as adults (25 years and older) to be unemployed.

Skills development is a primary means of enabling young people to make a smooth transition to work. A comprehensive approach is required to integrate young women and men in the labour market, including relevant and quality skills training, labour market information, career guidance and employment services, recognition of prior learning, incorporating entrepreneurship with training and effective skills forecasting. Improved basic education and core work skills are particularly important to enable youth to engage in lifelong learning as well as transition to the labour market. 

Identifier
skpYoEmp
Slug
youth-employability
Knowledge Products:

Join the Southern African region's exciting Global Careers Month event, building on the success of 2022! 

This year's youth-driven programme is set to dive deep into the very definition of employability. We're moving beyond just finding a job to exploring the full spectrum of sustainable livelihoods, including creating employment, gig work, small-scale farming, and other forms of subsistence. Our goal is to craft a regional definition that encompasses people, profit, and planet, firmly embedding sustainability into the career education framework.

This vital event is generously supported by the EU Delegation of Eswatini and hosted by the National Curriculum Centre (NCC), a department of the Ministry of Education and Training which sees this as a crucial career education springboard for Eswatini's reform of the secondary education curriculum to a competency-based model. The EU Youth Sounding Board in Eswatini is driving the process, ensuring youth voices lead the deliberation to establish a final, impactful regional definition of employability, one that truly serves the needs and realities of the greater youth population. Mark your calendars for November 25th! More details to follow on shaping the future of careers in the region.

Time: 25 November 2025 at 9:00-10:00 CET

Place: Online (participation link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/36280163243023?p=n6qqwcmY78vPm8uo9f)

More information: https://www.sacda.org.za/news/SACDA-News-5
 

 

ZA_GCM2025_Southern_Africa_SACDA.pdf
Subject Tags:
Regions:

Africa

Region Image
Countries and territories:
Economic groups:
--

Webinar 07: Charting the Future of Career Development—An Invitation to Global Dialogue!

Webinar 07: Charting the Future of Career Development—An Invitation to Global Dialogue!

Kind:
Event
Start Date:
25 Nov 2025
End Date:
04 Jun 2026
Event Location:
Online
EventType:
Language:

English

Slug
english
Identifier
skpEng
Language Version:
--
Sources:

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.

Thumbnail
Identifier
skpOSource
Slug
other-sources
Topics:

Career guidance and employment services

Thumbnail

Career guidance and counselling, career education and lifelong development of skills for employability are key for success in learning activities, effective career transitions, livelihood planning, entrepreneurship and in increasing labour market participation. They are instrumental in promoting skills utilization, recognition (RPL), as well as in improving enterprise human resource management.

Career development activities encompass a wide variety of support activities including career information and advice, counselling, work exposure (e.g. job shadowing, work experience periods), assessment, coaching, mentoring, professional networking, advocacy, basic and employability skills training (curricular and non-curricular) and entrepreneurship training. It is often an area which is fragmented across different ministries (e.g. education, TVET, employment, youth) requiring an effort to achieve the necessary coordination to provide adequate support to individuals during learning, employment and unemployment/inactivity periods.
 

Identifier
skpLMIES
Slug
career-guidance-and-employment-services

Skills policies and strategies

Thumbnail

Skills and employment policies should be viewed together.  The full value of one policy set is realized when it supports the objectives of the other.  For investments in education and training to yield maximum benefit to workers, enterprises, and economies, countries’ capacities for coordination is critical in three areas: connecting basic education to technical training and then to market entry; ensuring continuous communication between employers and training providers so that training meets the needs and aspirations of workers and enterprises, and integrating skills development policies with industrial, investment, trade, technology, environmental, rural and local development policies.

Identifier
skpPolConv
Slug
skills-policies-and-strategies

Work-based learning and skills utilization

Thumbnail

Increasingly, countries around the world, at all levels of development are putting work-based learning, particularly apprenticeships, high on their policy agenda, recognizing its potential for reducing skills mismatch, meeting skills demand of a fast changing labour market, providing cost-effective training, promoting private sector development and smoothing transitions to the world of work. 

Moreover, the issue of how skills are used in the workplace and how businesses engage with the local skills ecosystem are getting greater attention. It is increasingly recognized that workers who better use their skills are more likely to have greater job satisfaction, earn better wages and are more prepared to adapt to changes in the nature of work, while employers benefit from a more productive and innovative workforce, enabling them to maximise business performance and profitability. 

Identifier
skpWrkLrn
Slug
work-based-learning-and-skills-utilization

Youth employability

Thumbnail

Globally, nearly 68 million young women and men are looking for and available for work,  and an estimated 123 million young people are working but living in poverty. The number who are not in employment, education or training (NEET) stands at 267 million, a majority of whom are young women. Significantly, young people are three times as likely as adults (25 years and older) to be unemployed.

Skills development is a primary means of enabling young people to make a smooth transition to work. A comprehensive approach is required to integrate young women and men in the labour market, including relevant and quality skills training, labour market information, career guidance and employment services, recognition of prior learning, incorporating entrepreneurship with training and effective skills forecasting. Improved basic education and core work skills are particularly important to enable youth to engage in lifelong learning as well as transition to the labour market. 

Identifier
skpYoEmp
Slug
youth-employability
Knowledge Products:

The two events, of which this is the second, form part of an ongoing webinar series titled “Charting the Future of Career Development — An Invitation to Global Dialogue!”

In November, we will explore the approaches of China and Brazil to employability-skills development, career education, and career readiness. On November 25, the presenter will be Dr Marcelo Afonso Ribeiro (University of Sao Paolo, Brazil).

The participants are researchers and professionals in career education and guidance from Nigeria, Kenya, other parts of Africa, and beyond. This project is a collaboration between Nigerian career-development researchers and practitioners and the European Scientific Network for Career Learning and Education (CAREER LEAD).

Time: 25 November 2025 at 2:30 to 3:30 GMT+1

Place: Online, participation link https://fhnw.zoom.us/j/7598818785

More information: https://drive.switch.ch/index.php/s/cIfAWxnaLoSIvSO and https://career-lead.eu/all-information1

Webinar 07: Charting the Future of Career Development—An Invitation to Global Dialogue!
Subject Tags:
Regions:

Africa

Region Image
Countries and territories:
Economic groups:
--

Webinar 06: Charting the Future of Career Development—An Invitation to Global Dialogue!

Webinar 06: Charting the Future of Career Development—An Invitation to Global Dialogue!

Kind:
Event
Start Date:
04 Nov 2025
End Date:
04 Jun 2026
Event Location:
Online
EventType:
Language:

English

Slug
english
Identifier
skpEng
Language Version:
--
Sources:

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.

Thumbnail
Identifier
skpOSource
Slug
other-sources
Topics:

Career guidance and employment services

Thumbnail

Career guidance and counselling, career education and lifelong development of skills for employability are key for success in learning activities, effective career transitions, livelihood planning, entrepreneurship and in increasing labour market participation. They are instrumental in promoting skills utilization, recognition (RPL), as well as in improving enterprise human resource management.

Career development activities encompass a wide variety of support activities including career information and advice, counselling, work exposure (e.g. job shadowing, work experience periods), assessment, coaching, mentoring, professional networking, advocacy, basic and employability skills training (curricular and non-curricular) and entrepreneurship training. It is often an area which is fragmented across different ministries (e.g. education, TVET, employment, youth) requiring an effort to achieve the necessary coordination to provide adequate support to individuals during learning, employment and unemployment/inactivity periods.
 

Identifier
skpLMIES
Slug
career-guidance-and-employment-services

Skills policies and strategies

Thumbnail

Skills and employment policies should be viewed together.  The full value of one policy set is realized when it supports the objectives of the other.  For investments in education and training to yield maximum benefit to workers, enterprises, and economies, countries’ capacities for coordination is critical in three areas: connecting basic education to technical training and then to market entry; ensuring continuous communication between employers and training providers so that training meets the needs and aspirations of workers and enterprises, and integrating skills development policies with industrial, investment, trade, technology, environmental, rural and local development policies.

Identifier
skpPolConv
Slug
skills-policies-and-strategies

Work-based learning and skills utilization

Thumbnail

Increasingly, countries around the world, at all levels of development are putting work-based learning, particularly apprenticeships, high on their policy agenda, recognizing its potential for reducing skills mismatch, meeting skills demand of a fast changing labour market, providing cost-effective training, promoting private sector development and smoothing transitions to the world of work. 

Moreover, the issue of how skills are used in the workplace and how businesses engage with the local skills ecosystem are getting greater attention. It is increasingly recognized that workers who better use their skills are more likely to have greater job satisfaction, earn better wages and are more prepared to adapt to changes in the nature of work, while employers benefit from a more productive and innovative workforce, enabling them to maximise business performance and profitability. 

Identifier
skpWrkLrn
Slug
work-based-learning-and-skills-utilization

Youth employability

Thumbnail

Globally, nearly 68 million young women and men are looking for and available for work,  and an estimated 123 million young people are working but living in poverty. The number who are not in employment, education or training (NEET) stands at 267 million, a majority of whom are young women. Significantly, young people are three times as likely as adults (25 years and older) to be unemployed.

Skills development is a primary means of enabling young people to make a smooth transition to work. A comprehensive approach is required to integrate young women and men in the labour market, including relevant and quality skills training, labour market information, career guidance and employment services, recognition of prior learning, incorporating entrepreneurship with training and effective skills forecasting. Improved basic education and core work skills are particularly important to enable youth to engage in lifelong learning as well as transition to the labour market. 

Identifier
skpYoEmp
Slug
youth-employability
Knowledge Products:

The two events, of which this is the first, form part of an ongoing webinar series titled “Charting the Future of Career Development — An Invitation to Global Dialogue!”

In November, we will explore the approaches of China and Brazil to employability-skills development, career education, and career readiness. On November 4, the presentation will be delivered by Dr Leili Jin

The participants are researchers and professionals in career education and guidance from Nigeria, Kenya, other parts of Africa, and beyond. This project is a collaboration between Nigerian career-development researchers and practitioners and the European Scientific Network for Career Learning and Education (CAREER LEAD).

Time: 4 November at 10:00 to 11:00 GMT+1 

Place: Online, participation link:  https://fhnw.zoom.us/j/7598818785

More information: https://drive.switch.ch/index.php/s/cIfAWxnaLoSIvSO and https://career-lead.eu/all-information1

Webinar 06: Charting the Future of Career Development—An Invitation to Global Dialogue!
Subject Tags:
Regions:

Africa

Region Image
Countries and territories:
Economic groups:
--

Improving skill and lifelong learning for workers in the informal economy to promote decent work and enhance transitions to formality. Dated 17-May-2024

Improving skill and lifelong learning for workers in the informal economy to promote decent work and enhance transitions to formality. Dated 17-May-2024

Type:
Document
Content Type:
Publication
Language:

English

Slug
english
Identifier
skpEng
Sources:

Academic institutions

Research papers, synthesis reports, country and programme studies are collected from many academic institutions and national, regional and international professional associations.

Thumbnail
Identifier
skpAcaInst
Slug
academic-institutions

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

Thumbnail
Identifier
skpILO
Slug
ilo
Topics:

Access to training

Thumbnail

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. 
 

Identifier
skpATSU
Slug
access-to-training

Lifelong learning

Thumbnail

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.

Identifier
skpPSLLL
Slug
lifelong-learning

Skills for transition to formality

Thumbnail

Most young people around the world do not have the chance to attend formal institutions of learning. The capacity of formal education and training systems is often limited due to inadequate training infrastructures and the relatively high costs of full-time, centre-based training. Consequently, large numbers of youth are learning and then working in the informal economy. 

Informal apprenticeship systems that transmit the skills of a trade to a young person in a micro- or small enterprise have operated for generations in many countries. They are considered by far the most important source of skills training in Africa and South Asia.

Women and men in the informal economy often do not possess a formal proof of their skills. Skills acquired informally are not visible and hence are often not recognized by employers. Transitions to the formal labour market can also be facilitated if skills are assessed and recognized. Systems of Recognition of Prior Learning are being introduced by countries to offer access to further learning or to formal labour markets.

Identifier
skpTrnForm
Slug
skills-for-transition-to-formality
Knowledge Products:

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. 

Thumbnail
Identifier
skpCaseStdy
Slug
case-studies-and-good-practices

Research papers

Working papers, reports, and other publications from international organizations, academic institutions and bilateral agencies. Research findings to stimulate informed debate on skills, employment and productivity issues. 

Thumbnail
Identifier
skpRPS
Slug
research-papers
Publication Date:
12 Feb 2024
Open
wcms_882926.pdf

This paper reviews skills-related challenges of informal economy workers in non-standard forms of employment in BRICS countries and how to promote decent work and enhance transitions to formality.

Workers in the informal economy face barriers to training due to costs and limited availability. Women encounter greater challenges accessing opportunities. Employers invest less in training than formal counterparts, and available programs may not be suitable or recognized. Therefore, governments can expand financing options and make training more flexible. The paper highlights strategies including aligning programs with labour market demands and investing in basic skills education as well as targeted interventions that are essential for enhancing access and relevance in skills training.

Subject Tags:

Industry skills councils

Slug
industry-skills-councils
Identifier
646

Informal economy

Slug
informal-economy
Identifier
187

Low skilled workers

Slug
low-skilled-workers
Identifier
650

Transferable skills

Slug
transferable-skills
Identifier
660
Regions:

Africa

Region Image

Americas

Region Image

Arab States

Region Image
Countries and territories:

A review of skills levy systems in countries of the Southern African Development Community

A review of skills levy systems in countries of the Southern African Development Community

Type:
Document
Content Type:
A review of skills levy systems in countries of the Southern African Development Community
Language:

English

Slug
english
Identifier
skpEng
Sources:

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

Thumbnail
Identifier
skpILO
Slug
ilo
Topics:

Other topic

Thumbnail
Identifier
skpOIssue
Slug
other-topic
Knowledge Products:

Research papers

Working papers, reports, and other publications from international organizations, academic institutions and bilateral agencies. Research findings to stimulate informed debate on skills, employment and productivity issues. 

Thumbnail
Identifier
skpRPS
Slug
research-papers
Publication Date:
14 Aug 2020
Open
edmsp1_266224.pdf
This report details the findings of research into national training funds linked to employer levies in eight countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC): Botswana, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The report includes an international literature review of levy systems globally to inform the country research which involved secondary data analysis, an online survey, and in-depth interviews with key stakeholders in the eight countries involved. The research drew on the views of representatives from government, the organizations managing the training funds, workers’ organizations and employers’ organizations. The report makes high level recommendations on levy based training funds in general as well as for the eight national training funds reviewed which are documented through country briefs in Part B of this report.

The report was developed through a partnership between the ILO Skills & Employability Branch and the ILO Decent Work Team for Eastern and Southern Africa.
Subject Tags:

Employers

Slug
employers
Identifier
672

Skills and training policy

Slug
skills-and-training-policy
Identifier
666
Regions:

Africa

Region Image
Countries and territories:

A review of methodologies for measuring the costs and benefits of in-company apprenticeship training

A review of methodologies for measuring the costs and benefits of in-company apprenticeship training

Type:
Document
Content Type:
A review of methodologies for measuring the costs and benefits of in-company apprenticeship training
Language:

English

Slug
english
Identifier
skpEng
Sources:

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

Thumbnail
Identifier
skpILO
Slug
ilo

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.

Thumbnail
Identifier
skpOSource
Slug
other-sources
Topics:

Youth employability

Thumbnail

Globally, nearly 68 million young women and men are looking for and available for work,  and an estimated 123 million young people are working but living in poverty. The number who are not in employment, education or training (NEET) stands at 267 million, a majority of whom are young women. Significantly, young people are three times as likely as adults (25 years and older) to be unemployed.

Skills development is a primary means of enabling young people to make a smooth transition to work. A comprehensive approach is required to integrate young women and men in the labour market, including relevant and quality skills training, labour market information, career guidance and employment services, recognition of prior learning, incorporating entrepreneurship with training and effective skills forecasting. Improved basic education and core work skills are particularly important to enable youth to engage in lifelong learning as well as transition to the labour market. 

Identifier
skpYoEmp
Slug
youth-employability
Knowledge Products:

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. 

Thumbnail
Identifier
skpCaseStdy
Slug
case-studies-and-good-practices

Research papers

Working papers, reports, and other publications from international organizations, academic institutions and bilateral agencies. Research findings to stimulate informed debate on skills, employment and productivity issues. 

Thumbnail
Identifier
skpRPS
Slug
research-papers
Publication Date:
28 Oct 2019
Open
edmsp1_250827.pdf
Skills that Work Project Discussion Paper Understanding the costs and benefits of apprenticeship training, as well as its outcomes, is an important factor for enterprises to make decisions relating to the skills development of current and future employees. Existing studies on this topic paint a mixed picture, some reveal net benefits to employers and others net costs. Apart from observed variances in apprenticeship systems and practices across countries, a proper international comparison of cost-benefit analysis is hampered by differences in research methods. This report reviews research methods and findings of major existing studies with the aim of helping advance discussions on research methods, and suggests areas where knowledge gaps exist.
Subject Tags:

Apprenticeships

Slug
apprenticeships
Identifier
639

Employability

Slug
employability
Identifier
643

Skills upgrading

Slug
skills-upgrading
Identifier
657

TVET systems

Slug
tvet-systems
Identifier
661

Work-based learning

Slug
work-based-learning
Identifier
679

Youth

Slug
youth
Identifier
319
Regions:

Africa

Region Image
Countries and territories:

Understanding the non-marketable benefits of apprenticeships in South African enterprises

Understanding the non-marketable benefits of apprenticeships in South African enterprises

Type:
Document
Content Type:
Understanding the non-marketable benefits of apprenticeships in South African enterprises
Language:

English

Slug
english
Identifier
skpEng
Sources:

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

Thumbnail
Identifier
skpILO
Slug
ilo
Topics:

Youth employability

Thumbnail

Globally, nearly 68 million young women and men are looking for and available for work,  and an estimated 123 million young people are working but living in poverty. The number who are not in employment, education or training (NEET) stands at 267 million, a majority of whom are young women. Significantly, young people are three times as likely as adults (25 years and older) to be unemployed.

Skills development is a primary means of enabling young people to make a smooth transition to work. A comprehensive approach is required to integrate young women and men in the labour market, including relevant and quality skills training, labour market information, career guidance and employment services, recognition of prior learning, incorporating entrepreneurship with training and effective skills forecasting. Improved basic education and core work skills are particularly important to enable youth to engage in lifelong learning as well as transition to the labour market. 

Identifier
skpYoEmp
Slug
youth-employability
Knowledge Products:

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. 

Thumbnail
Identifier
skpCaseStdy
Slug
case-studies-and-good-practices

Research papers

Working papers, reports, and other publications from international organizations, academic institutions and bilateral agencies. Research findings to stimulate informed debate on skills, employment and productivity issues. 

Thumbnail
Identifier
skpRPS
Slug
research-papers
Publication Date:
28 Oct 2019
Open
edmsp1_250824.pdf
Skills that Work Project Discussion Paper This report details findings of research on the non-financial or non-marketable returns from apprenticeship training amongst a small sample of South African firms. The report describes the South African apprenticeship system, considers the literature on non-financial returns from apprenticeships and presents the research based on interviews and a survey involving 48 enterprises. The research found there was strong evidence of improved staff retention as a key benefit of apprenticeships to firms and that apprenticeships provide a future talent pipeline of skilled staff. The research found that apprenticeship programmes are seen as a way to reduce the risk associated with employing new staff. There was also some evidence of firms seeing an improved public image as a key benefit along with some evidence of an improved work climate and improved innovation as key benefits of apprenticeships.
Subject Tags:

Access to training

Slug
access-to-training
Identifier
683

Apprenticeships

Slug
apprenticeships
Identifier
639

Skills and training policy

Slug
skills-and-training-policy
Identifier
666

Skills mismatch

Slug
skills-mismatch
Identifier
654

Skills upgrading

Slug
skills-upgrading
Identifier
657

TVET systems

Slug
tvet-systems
Identifier
661

Youth

Slug
youth
Identifier
319
Regions:

Africa

Region Image
Countries and territories:

Getting skills right: Good practice in adapting to changing skill needs

Getting skills right: Good practice in adapting to changing skill needs

Type:
Document
Content Type:
Getting skills right: Good practice in adapting to changing skill needs
Language:

English

Slug
english
Identifier
skpEng
Sources:

Information is gathered from other international organizations that promote skills development and the transition from education and training to work. The Interagency Group on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (IAG-TVET) was established in 2009 to share research findings, coordinate joint research endeavours, and improve collaboration among organizations working at the international and national levels.

Thumbnail
Identifier
skpIntOrg
Slug
international-organizations
Topics:

Access to training

Thumbnail

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. 
 

Identifier
skpATSU
Slug
access-to-training

Training quality and relevance

Thumbnail
Identifier
skpTrainQR
Slug
training-quality-and-relevance
Knowledge Products:

Research papers

Working papers, reports, and other publications from international organizations, academic institutions and bilateral agencies. Research findings to stimulate informed debate on skills, employment and productivity issues. 

Thumbnail
Identifier
skpRPS
Slug
research-papers
Publication Date:
07 Dec 2017
Open
wcmstest4_195103.pdf
A perspective on France, Italy, Spain, South Africa and the United Kingdom This report identifies effective strategies to tackle skills imbalances, based on five country-specific policy notes for France, Italy, Spain, South Africa and the United Kingdom. It provides a comparative assessment of practices and policies in the following areas: the collection and use of information on skill needs to foster a better alignment of skills acquisitions with labour market needs; the design of education and training systems and their responsiveness to changing skill needs; the re-training of unemployed individuals; and the improvement of skills use and skills matching in the labour market. The assessment is based on country visits, desk research and data analysis conducted by the OECD secretariat in the five countries reviewed. Examples of good practice from other countries are also discussed.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/9789264277892-en
Subject Tags:

Labour market information

Slug
labour-market-information
Identifier
684

Recognition of prior learning

Slug
recognition-of-prior-learning
Identifier
675

Skills mismatch

Slug
skills-mismatch
Identifier
654

Skills utilization

Slug
skills-utilization
Identifier
685
Regions:
Countries and territories:

Skills for a Changing World: National Perspectives and the Global Movement

Skills for a Changing World: National Perspectives and the Global Movement

Type:
Document
Content Type:
Skills for a Changing World: National Perspectives and the Global Movement
Language:

English

Slug
english
Identifier
skpEng
Sources:

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.

Thumbnail
Identifier
skpOSource
Slug
other-sources
Topics:

Anticipating and matching skills needs

Thumbnail

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. 

Identifier
skpAFSN
Slug
anticipating-and-matching-skills-needs

Lifelong learning

Thumbnail

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.

Identifier
skpPSLLL
Slug
lifelong-learning
Knowledge Products:

Research papers

Working papers, reports, and other publications from international organizations, academic institutions and bilateral agencies. Research findings to stimulate informed debate on skills, employment and productivity issues. 

Thumbnail
Identifier
skpRPS
Slug
research-papers
Publication Date:
24 Oct 2017
Open
wcmstest4_193913.pdf
This report is part of the Skills for a Changing World project, supported by the Brookings Institution, that aims to explore the new demands placed on education in the 21st century and how education systems are responding to them. This Skills for a Changing World: National Perspectives and the Global Movement report summarizes country-level responses based on a public scan of education systems and discusses country-level stakeholder views on the skills students need for today and tomorrow in four countries: Mexico, South Africa, Kenya, and the Philippines. Although there is consistency worldwide in views about the skills and characteristics the youth of today need for the future, countries vary greatly in implementing new approaches to education. In addition, specific country conditions influence stakeholder perceptions of how education systems are responding and providing for future generations.
Subject Tags:

Economic and social development

Slug
economic-and-social-development
Identifier
125

Inclusion

Slug
inclusion
Identifier
665

Productivity

Slug
productivity
Identifier
188

Soft skills

Slug
soft-skills
Identifier
678
Regions:
Countries and territories:

Trade union involvement in skills development: an international review

Trade union involvement in skills development: an international review

Type:
Document
Content Type:
Trade union involvement in skills development: an international review
Language:

English

Slug
english
Identifier
skpEng
Sources:

Academic institutions

Research papers, synthesis reports, country and programme studies are collected from many academic institutions and national, regional and international professional associations.

Thumbnail
Identifier
skpAcaInst
Slug
academic-institutions

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

Thumbnail
Identifier
skpILO
Slug
ilo
Topics:

Participation of employers' and workers' organizations

Thumbnail

The world of learning and the world of work are separate but linked. While one involves learning, the other produces goods and services. Neither can thrive without the other. Strong partnerships between government, employers and workers help ensure the relevance of training to the changing needs of enterprises and labour markets. 

Identifier
skpPSP
Slug
participation-of-employers-and-workers-organizations

Training quality and relevance

Thumbnail
Identifier
skpTrainQR
Slug
training-quality-and-relevance
Knowledge Products:

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. 

Thumbnail
Identifier
skpCaseStdy
Slug
case-studies-and-good-practices

Research papers

Working papers, reports, and other publications from international organizations, academic institutions and bilateral agencies. Research findings to stimulate informed debate on skills, employment and productivity issues. 

Thumbnail
Identifier
skpRPS
Slug
research-papers
Publication Date:
23 Oct 2017
Open
wcmstest4_193904.pdf
This report seeks to improve our understanding of the involvement of trade unions in the domain of TVET and skills development at the national, sectoral and enterprise levels. It does this through case studies of ten countries at different stages of development and with different traditions of unionism and social dialogue.

This publication reflects a joint effort by the Skills and Employability Branch (SKILLS) and Bureau for Workers Activities (ACTRAV) of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). This collaboration has documented current practices with the intention of supporting workers organisations so they can take part in the development of national, sectoral and enterprise skills policies and by providing them with advice, tools and training courses to enable them to do so.
Subject Tags:

Skills and training policy

Slug
skills-and-training-policy
Identifier
666

TVET systems

Slug
tvet-systems
Identifier
661

Vocational training

Slug
vocational-training
Identifier
124
Regions:
Countries and territories:

Bangladesh

Bangladesh has a strong track record of growth and development, even in times of elevated global uncertainty.  A robust demographic dividend, strong ready-made garment exports, resilient remittance inflows, and stable macroeconomic conditions have supported rapid economic growth over the past two decades. A strong recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic continued in FY22, although a recent surge in commodity prices has presented new headwinds. 

Bangladesh reached lower-middle income status in 2015. It is on track to graduate from the UN’s Least Developed Countries list in 2026. Poverty declined from 43.5 percent in 1991 to 14.3 percent in 2016, based on the international poverty line of $1.90 a day (1).  

Like many of its Asian neighbours, Bangladesh faces a major challenge trying to develop modern, employability skills for tens of millions of young women and men. It has a large informal sector, which accounts for 94.7 percent of the total employment in 2017 (2). Youth continue to be highly affected by the lack of opportunities, with the share of youth aged 15-24 not in employment, education or training (NEET), estimated at 27.8 percent in 2020 (3). 

TVET has a huge role to play in equipping the vast young labour force of 15-29 years referred to as the country’s “demographic dividend” with employability skills and providing enhanced support services to ensure a better transition from school to work. TVET may also contribute to reducing poverty by providing employability skills, particularly to those who drop out of school early and to a large number of unemployed and underemployed adults.  

Despite many reform initiatives by the government, the TVET sector needs further strengthening through reform of policies and systems in the labour market.  Enhancing industry-relevance of TVET qualifications will furthermore require closer Government cooperation with the private sector. For one and a half decade, the ILO has worked closely with the Government of Bangladesh and its Social Partners to reform the TVET sector and to improve access for people to increase their skills and employability, in particular youth, women and people from other marginalized groups. 

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic had detrimental effects on the TVET sector, due to the nation-wide closure of all educational institutes for one and a half years, starting on 17 March 2020.  Most students’ learning was effectively abolished for this duration, and learning and certification was only possible through limited online learning facilities in existence at the time. Only recently has the TVET returned to its prior activity level. 

The ILO landmark programmes aim to strengthen and improve the environment for industry skills development, address the mismatch between the supply and demand for skills training, and drive the increased employability of millions of young women and men. ILO’s support to develop the skills system in Bangladesh has focused on skills system governance, development of skills policies and qualifications frameworks; delivery of quality skills training, expanding access to TVET, and involvement by the private sector.    

 

Sources 

(1) https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/bangladesh/overview

(2) https://ilostat.ilo.org/topics/informality/

(3) https://ilostat.ilo.org/topics/youth/

Country Assessment and Priority (CAP) – Bangladesh strategy for skills and lifelong learning (2022)

Situation Analysis of Bangladesh TVET Sector (2019) https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/—asia/—ro-bangkok/—ilo-dhaka/documents/publication/wcms_735704.pdf_

Subscribe to South Africa