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Skilled labour mobility: The resurgence of the "Brain drain" debate

Skilled labour mobility: The resurgence of the "Brain drain" debate

Type:
Document
Content Type:
Skilled labour mobility: The resurgence of the "Brain drain" debate
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

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Identifier
skpILO
Slug
ilo
Topics:

Migrant workers

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According to the ILO global estimates on migrant workers, there were around 164 million migrant workers in 2017. 

Migrant workers contribute to growth and development in their countries of destination, while countries of origin greatly benefit from their remittances and the skills acquired during their migration experience. Yet, many migrant workers face challenges in accessing quality training and decent jobs including under-utilization of skills, a lack of employment or training opportunities, lack of information, and exploitation of low-skilled workers.

To address these challenges, countries need to strengthen skills anticipation systems to inform migration policies, increase access to education and training, and establish bilateral or multilateral recognition of qualifications and skills.

Identifier
skpMigWor
Slug
migrant-workers
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. 

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Identifier
skpRPS
Slug
research-papers
Publication Date:
08 May 2013
Open
wcmstest4_044435.pdf
International Migration Papers No. 100 The objective of this paper is to review the phenomenon of skilled labour mobility in an international perspective and its implications for Sri Lanka. The paper first analyses the magnitude of mobility, and then goes on to consider the reasons for renewed interest in the issue. The study also reviews the impact of skilled mobility and findings of recent research.
Subject Tags:

Migrant workers

Slug
migrant-workers
Identifier
681

Migration policy

Slug
migration-policy
Identifier
309
Regions:
Countries and territories:

Green Jobs in Asia: Final evaluation

Green Jobs in Asia: Final evaluation

Type:
Document
Content Type:
Green Jobs in Asia: Final evaluation
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

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Identifier
skpILO
Slug
ilo
Topics:

Anticipating and matching skills needs

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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
Knowledge Products:

Evaluation reports

Analytical assessments of technical cooperation programmes and national skills and employment policies, identifying success factors of different interventions in response to particular challenges in different circumstances.

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Identifier
skpEvalRep
Slug
evaluation-reports
Publication Date:
25 Mar 2013
Open
wcmstest4_035426.pdf
Provides a summary of a final evaluation of Green Jobs in Asia project that seeks to deepen ILO constituents understanding and commitments for the promotion of gender sensitive green jobs opportunities and a just transition for workers and employers towards a low-carbon, climate resilient, environmentally friendly development. The project covers five countries: Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines and Sri Lanka. An important focus of the project is to assist government partners with mainstreaming green jobs into national policies.

The final project evaluation focused on relevance and validity of the project design, achievements related to the immediate objectives, emerging impact of the key activities implemented, and lessons learned. It comprised desk reviews, participation in a regional conference, site visits and interviews with project participants from within ILO and its various partners.
Subject Tags:

Climate change

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climate-change
Identifier
610

Entrepreneurship

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entrepreneurship
Identifier
182

Skills anticipation

Slug
skills-anticipation
Identifier
677

Sustainable development

Slug
sustainable-development
Identifier
658

Women

Slug
women
Identifier
318
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_

Qualifications frameworks: Implementation and impact: Background case study on Sri Lanka

Qualifications frameworks: Implementation and impact: Background case study on Sri Lanka

Type:
Document
Content Type:
Qualifications frameworks: Implementation and impact: Background case study on Sri Lanka
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

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Identifier
skpILO
Slug
ilo
Topics:

Training quality and relevance

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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. 

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Identifier
skpCaseStdy
Slug
case-studies-and-good-practices
Publication Date:
22 Mar 2013
Open
wcmstest4_034832.pdf
This report was prepared as one in a series of background studies under an international research project conducted by the ILO Skills and Employability Department in partnership with the European Training Foundation on the implementation of National Qualifications Frameworks and their use and impact. The individual country studies and the subsequent cross-country comparative analysis strengthen the empirical foundation for eventual policy advise on whether and, if so, then how to introduce a qualifications framework as part of a strategy to achieve countries’ wider skills development and employment goals.
This report on Sri Lanka is one of a dozen studies of countries around the world undertaken to examine the extent to which qualifications frameworks are achieving policy objectives and which types of qualifications frameworks seem most appropriate in which contexts.
Subject Tags:

Industry skills councils

Slug
industry-skills-councils
Identifier
646

Occupational qualification

Slug
occupational-qualification
Identifier
409

Qualification frameworks

Slug
qualification-frameworks
Identifier
651

Skills recognition

Slug
skills-recognition
Identifier
656

Vocational training

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

National Policy on Disability for Sri Lanka 2003

National Policy on Disability for Sri Lanka 2003

Type:
Document
Content Type:
National Policy on Disability for Sri Lanka 2003
Language:

English

Slug
english
Identifier
skpEng
Sources:

Governments

Governments hold a wealth of knowledge on skills development, and are increasingly realizing the value of learning from each others’ experiences. Their policy documents, programme evaluations, and research findings contain their experience and ideas on how to better link skills to employment

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Identifier
skpGov
Slug
governments

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

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Identifier
skpILO
Slug
ilo
Topics:

Access to training

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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

People with disabilities

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Of an estimated 1 billion people with disabilities in the world today, some 785 million are of working age. While many are successfully employed and fully integrated into society, most face a disproportionate level of poverty and unemployment. This is a massive loss both to them and their countries. A strategy of including people with disabilities in training and employment promotion policies, combined with targeted supports to ensure their participation, can help disabled persons obtain productive mainstream employment.

Identifier
skpPeoDis
Slug
people-with-disabilities
Knowledge Products:

National policies and initiatives

National legislation, policies and initiatives on the issue of training and skills development and the world of work. 

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Identifier
skpNatPol
Slug
national-policies-and-initiatives
Publication Date:
21 Mar 2013
Open
wcmstest4_034426.pdf
The policy aims to promote and protect the rights of people with disabilities and to provide them with opportunities for contributing their knowledge, experience and skills to national development of Sri Lanka.
The policy consists of two parts. Part One provides the rationale underlying policy formulation, containing its scope, underlying socio-economic considerations, barriers that exclude people with disabilities from the socio-economic mainstream, and the resources available for policy implementation. Among the aspects covered are access to training, education and employment for disabled persons (Part I, Section II.3).
Part Two lists the guiding principles which provide the policy framework and describes 26 policy areas which it addresses. Among the policy areas discussed are strategies for achieving equal opportunity in mainstream vocational training and skills development for persons with disabilities (Part II, Section VI.2). For each policy area, policy statements are made and strategies for their achievement are listed. The policy promotes community-based rehabilitation and engaging social partners in policy implementation.
Subject Tags:

Economic and social rights

Slug
economic-and-social-rights
Identifier
264

Inclusion

Slug
inclusion
Identifier
665

People with disabilities

Slug
people-with-disabilities
Identifier
323

Poverty

Slug
poverty
Identifier
148

Vocational training

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

Sri Lanka: Strategic Assessment and Policy Recommendations for a National Action Plan for Youth Employment

Sri Lanka: Strategic Assessment and Policy Recommendations for a National Action Plan for Youth Employment

Type:
Document
Content Type:
Sri Lanka: Strategic Assessment and Policy Recommendations for a National Action Plan for Youth Employment
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.

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Identifier
skpOSource
Slug
other-sources
Topics:

Other topic

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Identifier
skpOIssue
Slug
other-topic
Knowledge Products:

National policies and initiatives

National legislation, policies and initiatives on the issue of training and skills development and the world of work. 

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Identifier
skpNatPol
Slug
national-policies-and-initiatives
Publication Date:
25 Feb 2013
Open
wcmstest4_029829.pdf
Produced under the purview of the Youth Employment Network The National Action Plan for Youth Employment addresses existing inequalities and outlines how to provide opportunities for young people to realise their full potential thereby contributing to economic growth. It is based on an in-depth analysis of Sri Lanka’s labour market, which is presented in the report. The analysis focuses on the following four key labour market areas: equal opportunity, employment creation, employability, and entrepreneurship. In each of these areas, the report reviews key policies and programs and identifies the main issues and constraints.
Subject Tags:
Regions:
Countries and territories:

Sri Lanka: National Strategy on Technical and Vocational Education and Training Provision for Vulnerable People

Sri Lanka: National Strategy on Technical and Vocational Education and Training Provision for Vulnerable People

Type:
Document
Content Type:
Sri Lanka: National Strategy on Technical and Vocational Education and Training Provision for Vulnerable People
Language:

English

Slug
english
Identifier
skpEng
Sources:

Governments

Governments hold a wealth of knowledge on skills development, and are increasingly realizing the value of learning from each others’ experiences. Their policy documents, programme evaluations, and research findings contain their experience and ideas on how to better link skills to employment

Thumbnail
Identifier
skpGov
Slug
governments

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

Migrant workers

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According to the ILO global estimates on migrant workers, there were around 164 million migrant workers in 2017. 

Migrant workers contribute to growth and development in their countries of destination, while countries of origin greatly benefit from their remittances and the skills acquired during their migration experience. Yet, many migrant workers face challenges in accessing quality training and decent jobs including under-utilization of skills, a lack of employment or training opportunities, lack of information, and exploitation of low-skilled workers.

To address these challenges, countries need to strengthen skills anticipation systems to inform migration policies, increase access to education and training, and establish bilateral or multilateral recognition of qualifications and skills.

Identifier
skpMigWor
Slug
migrant-workers

People with disabilities

Thumbnail

Of an estimated 1 billion people with disabilities in the world today, some 785 million are of working age. While many are successfully employed and fully integrated into society, most face a disproportionate level of poverty and unemployment. This is a massive loss both to them and their countries. A strategy of including people with disabilities in training and employment promotion policies, combined with targeted supports to ensure their participation, can help disabled persons obtain productive mainstream employment.

Identifier
skpPeoDis
Slug
people-with-disabilities

Youth employability

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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:

National policies and initiatives

National legislation, policies and initiatives on the issue of training and skills development and the world of work. 

Thumbnail
Identifier
skpNatPol
Slug
national-policies-and-initiatives
Publication Date:
25 Feb 2013
Open
wcmstest4_029828.pdf
‘National Strategy on Technical and Vocational Education and Training Provision for Vulnerable People in Sri Lanka’ aims at providing broad access to vocational education and training for disadvantaged groups, namely: disadvantaged women, people with disabilities, disadvantaged youth, working poor, persons affected by conflict (including internally displaced persons and ex-combatants), and migrant workers. The Policy identifies the following seven Guiding Strategies for more inclusive vocational training system: ensure that training is relevant to the needs of employers; include livelihood and entrepreneurship training in vocational education; establish specialized training facilities; ensure support systems for vulnerable persons who wish to continue vocational education; recognize current skills through Recognition of Prior Learning; offer career guidance and counselling; and set appropriate admission criteria.
Subject Tags:

Disadvantaged youth

Slug
disadvantaged-youth
Identifier
663

Migrant workers

Slug
migrant-workers
Identifier
681

Poverty

Slug
poverty
Identifier
148

Vocational training

Slug
vocational-training
Identifier
124

Women

Slug
women
Identifier
318
Regions:
Countries and territories:

The implementation and impact of National Qualifications Frameworks: Report of a study in 16 countries

The implementation and impact of National Qualifications Frameworks: Report of a study in 16 countries

Type:
Document
Content Type:
The implementation and impact of National Qualifications Frameworks: Report of a study in 16 countries
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:

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:
21 Feb 2013
Open
wcmstest4_029226.pdf
This is the report of an international research project conducted by the ILO on the implementation of National Qualifications Frameworks (NQFs) and their use and impact. The research aimed to produce empirical evidence and analysis of countries’ experiences as a basis for advising countries on whether, and if so, then how, to introduce a qualifications framework as part of a strategy to achieve their wider skills development and employment goals.
Subject Tags:

Competency standards

Slug
competency-standards
Identifier
642

Occupational qualification

Slug
occupational-qualification
Identifier
409

Skills recognition

Slug
skills-recognition
Identifier
656

Vocational training

Slug
vocational-training
Identifier
124
Regions:

Africa

Region Image

Americas

Region Image
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_

Национальные системы квалификационных стандартов:

Национальные системы квалификационных стандартов:

Type:
Document
Content Type:
Национальные системы квалификационных стандартов:
Language:
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

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Identifier
skpILO
Slug
ilo
Topics:

Training quality and relevance

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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. 

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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. 

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Identifier
skpRPS
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research-papers
Publication Date:
21 Feb 2013
Open
wcmstest4_029028.pdf

Настоящая работа представляет собой отчет о результатах международного исследовательского проекта, реализованного Международной Организацией Труда и посвященного Национальным системам квалификационных стандартов, их применению и результатам внедрения. Целью исследования являлся сбор эмпирических данных и анализ опыта разных стран с целью разработки рекомендаций относительно того, нужна ли им национальная система квалификационных стандартов, и, при наличии заинтересованности, относительно порядка внедрения такой системы квалификаций в качестве элемента стратегии достижения более масштабных задач в сфере развития профессиональных навыков и обеспечения занятости.

Subject Tags:

Competency standards

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competency-standards
Identifier
642

Occupational qualification

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occupational-qualification
Identifier
409

Skills recognition

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skills-recognition
Identifier
656

Vocational training

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vocational-training
Identifier
124
Regions:

Africa

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Americas

Region Image
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_

The challenge of youth employment in Sri Lanka

The challenge of youth employment in Sri Lanka

Type:
Document
Content Type:
The challenge of youth employment in Sri Lanka
Language:

English

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english
Identifier
skpEng
Sources:

International organizations

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.

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Identifier
skpIntOrg
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international-organizations
Topics:

Youth employability

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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:

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. 

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Identifier
skpRPS
Slug
research-papers
Publication Date:
19 Feb 2013
Open
wcmstest4_028627.pdf
Sri Lanka has been regarded as a model of a country with successful social policies, yet for decades it has faced major challenges in providing employment for youth. Although the labor force has become more educated, and this trend is particularly marked for youth, the main source of employment for both youth and adults remains the informal sector. On the positive side, unemployment declined in last decades, particularly for youth. The Sri Lankan government has continually acted on various fronts to address the youth unemployment problem. It has tried to modernize Sri Lanka's general education system and to increase the accessibility of training to promote youth employability. Other actions included strengthening entrepreneurship programs, introducing career guidance and improving labor market information to help young people in their job searches. In 2007, the government developed the National Action Plan for youth employment, built on a coherent youth employment policy framework and deriving a consistent set of policy recommendations. The plan was based on in-depth analysis of Sri Lanka's labor market, provided via a series of background papers undertaken under the auspices of the Youth Employment Network. To provide the richness and comprehensiveness of this analysis in its totality, these papers, updated and revised, are collected in the present publication. It offers a wealth of valuable advice to the government and other stakeholders to achieve this goal.
Subject Tags:

Disadvantaged youth

Slug
disadvantaged-youth
Identifier
663

Entrepreneurship

Slug
entrepreneurship
Identifier
182

Gender

Slug
294
Identifier
294

Informal economy

Slug
informal-economy
Identifier
187
Slug
school-to-work-transition
Identifier
652

Vocational training

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

Skills recognition for migrant workers

Skills recognition for migrant workers

Type:
Document
Content Type:
Skills recognition for migrant workers
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

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Identifier
skpILO
Slug
ilo
Topics:

Lifelong learning

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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

Migrant workers

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According to the ILO global estimates on migrant workers, there were around 164 million migrant workers in 2017. 

Migrant workers contribute to growth and development in their countries of destination, while countries of origin greatly benefit from their remittances and the skills acquired during their migration experience. Yet, many migrant workers face challenges in accessing quality training and decent jobs including under-utilization of skills, a lack of employment or training opportunities, lack of information, and exploitation of low-skilled workers.

To address these challenges, countries need to strengthen skills anticipation systems to inform migration policies, increase access to education and training, and establish bilateral or multilateral recognition of qualifications and skills.

Identifier
skpMigWor
Slug
migrant-workers
Knowledge Products:

Promotional material

Presentations, discussion papers, meeting reports, promotional materials, videos, fact sheets, brochures and newsletters on skills development for employment.

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Identifier
skpAIM
Slug
promotional-material
Publication Date:
25 Jan 2013
Open
fm11g_014213.pdf
Report of ILO/SKILLS-AP/Korea Regional Planning Workshop on Skills Recognition for Migrant Workers Bangkok, Thailand, 23-25 April 2007 This is the report of Korea Regional Planning Workshop on Skills Recognition for Migrant Workers organized by the International Labour Organization’s Regional Skills and Employability Programme in Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok in April 2007. This workshop provided an opportunity to discuss approaches and strategies to assist sending countries have their workers’ skills recognized.
Subject Tags:

Competency standards

Slug
competency-standards
Identifier
642

Migrant workers

Slug
migrant-workers
Identifier
681

Occupational qualification

Slug
occupational-qualification
Identifier
409

Occupational safety and health

Slug
occupational-safety-and-health
Identifier
327

Skills recognition

Slug
skills-recognition
Identifier
656
Regions:
Countries and territories:
Subscribe to Sri Lanka