Many countries in the Asia Pacific region need to develop effective strategies to reduce the impact of higher levels of unemployment due to the global financial and economic crisis. Investment in skills development for improved productivity, employment growth and development is one of the key strategies to respond to the impact. This will include training in the workplace, which has become increasingly important during the last decade as an effective means of developing workforce knowledge and skills. Effective linking of skills development to workplace needs will help both workers and enterprises adjust to all challenges.
ILO Human Resources Development Recommendation 195 (2004) recommends that member States should “promote the expansion of workplace learning and training” and the resolution adopted in the International Labour Conference 2008, also stated that the government and its social partners should promote and support skills development in the workplace. Quality assurance of training and certification is an essential component of this strategy.
This workshop is aimed at strengthening the Regional Skills Network and assisting countries in the region to deal with the challenge of improving productivity and employment growth,by improving the quality of training. This workshop aims to increase awareness of the importance of workplace learning and explore ways in which public policy can be used to encourage organizations to make more effective use of the skills of their employees.
Objectives
The specific objectives of this workshop are to assist member States strengthen approaches to workplace learning and to improve systems to ensure the quality of skills development. Participating countries will also provide inputs in relation to their own experience in workplace learning and various quality systems in place.
Specific outputs and outcomes of the meeting
It is expected that all participants will develop strategies to enhance the development of orkplace learning in their won countries. They will also identify issues related to the improved quality systems that could be implemented. It is further expected that the discussions in this workshop will contribute to the further development of the ILO draft publication on Structured Workplace Learning which could be a valuable tool to assist countries in the region improve the knowledge and skills in this area.
Workshop structure and methodology
The workshop will consist of a number of technical sessions, comprising an introduction of materials, panel discussion and technical working group sessions. Study visits and preparation of a national action plan will also be included. Information on skills development in the workplace and TVET quality assurance will be provided in advance to participants for their discussion in the workshop. Chairing responsibilities for technical sessions will be shared among participants. The ILO will provide facilitators for the Working Group Sessions to ensure a participatory approach.
Participation
Countries to be invited to participate in this workshop are: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Thailand and Vietnam.
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