Unlocking the potential of TVET
Unlocking the potential of TVET
English
ILO
The International Labour Organization is the tripartite U.N. agency that promotes Decent Work through employment, social security, labour standards and social dialogue. Its work on skills development is guided by the conceptual framework on Skills to improve productivity, employment growth, and development agreed in 2008 by representatives of Governments, Employers’ Associations and Workers’ Associations. Research, policy advice, and pilot projects and technical cooperation programmes to apply good practices in different circumstances across its 185 member States aims to boost the employability of workers, the productivity and competitiveness of enterprises, and the inclusiveness of economic growth. The ILO Secretariat in offices in 40 countries works with Ministries of Labour, employers’ organizations, and trade unions to integrate skills development into national and sector development strategies in order to better meet current labour market needs and to prepare for the jobs of the future; to expand access to employment-related training so that youth, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups are better able to acquire skills and secure productive and decent work; and to improve the ability of public employment services to provide career guidance, maintain labour exchange services, and deliver active labour market programmes.For more information regarding the ILO’s work on skills and employability go to: http://www.ilo.org/skills/lang--en/index.htm; for ILO/Cinterfor's Knowledge Management Plarform, see: http://www.oitcinterfor.org
Training quality and relevance
Youth employability
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.
Other knowledge products
Moderators
This E-Discussion will allow experts, practitioners and representatives from a range of institutions and enterprises in different parts of the world to come together virtually to raise questions, share experiences, and address challenges facing Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and skills systems reform. Click on the above list of names for discussion moderators, including their biographies.
Strengthening the ability of workers to adapt to changing market demands and to benefit from innovation and investments in new technologies, clean energy, the environment, health and infrastructure enables countries to be more competitive in the global economy and better respond to rising challenges in the labour market. Yet stepping up investments in skills to meet current needs and to better respond to global trends that affect all regions requires a reform in training policies, institutions and methods.
In tackling today’s global youth employment crisis - characterized by high levels of unemployment and poor quality, low paying jobs – technical vocational education and training (TVET) can help minimize skills mismatches that disproportionately affect young people in developing countries. Moreover, orienting TVET toward the world of work can help smooth the transition from education to employment.
Making quality training opportunities available to all, in particular young people, helps to support sustainable development and decent work. (SDGs 4 and 8).
Considering the role of TVET in improving the employment prospects of young women and men, and in minimizing current and future skills gaps, this E-Discussion will focus on vocational education.
We encourage you to read the Guidance Note below for information on the discussion topic.
Week two questions:
5. What are key factors that will determine the nature and types of skills needed in the future and how can TVET systems improve their responsiveness to changes in skills demands?
6. To what extent are the operations of the TVET institutions in your country informed by regular and ongoing assessment of labour market trends and industry developments?
7. What role do public-private partnerships play in ensuring that formal training is more responsive to the needs of individual workers and employers?
8. Existing research shows that adapting to technology/automation is one of the key driving forces impacting employment and skills. What are the most critical reforms needed for TVET policy and systems to enable countries to respond to an era of higher technology?
9. What changes are needed in order for TVET systems to better promote more inclusive and sustainable growth?
