Promoting Social Cohesion and Peaceful Coexistence in Fragile Contexts through TVET
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
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.
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Skills development can be viewed from a life-cycle perspective of building, maintaining and improving competencies and skills. A holistic approach to skills development encompasses the following features: access to good basic education; development of cognitive and core skills, including literacy, numeracy, communication, problem-solving and learning ability; and, availability of continuous training opportunities targeting adult and older workers. Systems to improve recognition of attained skills across occupations, industries and countries improve the employability of workers, reduce labour shortages, and promote good working conditions for migrant workers.
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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.
This Guide aims to assist ILO constituents and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) practitioners to strengthen the role of skills development policies and programmes in peacebuilding efforts through inclusive learning methodologies and the training of relevant core skills.
Based on the R205, the ILO is implementing the Jobs for Peace and Resilience (JPR) flagship programme which combines employment-intensive investments, technical, vocational and entrepreneurial skills training, and employment services to respond to the needs of the most vulnerable, including the unemployed, underemployed, and low-skilled, with a particular focus on youth and women. By simultaneously enhancing economic prospects, inter-group contact, and by addressing grievances of the most vulnerable communities, JPR projects aim to reinforce social cohesion and build resilience to future shocks.
However, too often in fragile and post-conflict situations, access to decent employment and vocational training are seen as secondary considerations to the policy discussions on social cohesion and peaceful coexistence. This is partly because training in fragile contexts is often short-term and narrowly focused on assisting vulnerable populations to acquire capacities for enhancing employability and accessing incomes. There is a growing evidence base of approaches that have the potential to contribute to peaceful coexistence in fragile settings. Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) can therefore act as a peace and resilience hub.
In this framework, the ILO’s Skills and Employability Branch together with the Coordination Unit for Peace and Resilience (CSPR) and under the Partnership for improving prospects for host communities and forcibly displaced persons (PROSPECTS), developed and piloted a new guide to foster the peace responsive role TVET plays in fragile settings.
The guide was piloted in Turkey, Kenya, Ethiopia, Jordan and Uganda and shall be systematically included in TVET curricula and delivery in fragile contexts and be a resource to support skills and employment interventions.
