ILO's International Training Centre to forge closer ties with Labour Colleges

Labour Colleges and other select organizations with established training programmes related to labour, will soon be able to benefit further from opportunities for training and partnerships offered by the International Labour Organization's International Training Centre, based in Turin, Italy.

News | 30 July 2007
PORT OF SPAIN (ILO News) - Labour Colleges and other select organizations with established training programmes related to labour, will soon be able to benefit further from opportunities for training and partnerships offered by the International Labour Organization's International Training Centre, based in Turin, Italy.

Recently, the ILO Subregional Office for the Caribbean and the ILO's International Training Centre held a consultation with the Heads and other high-level representatives of 16 institutions and organizations from across the English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The meeting explored possible areas for partnership and collaboration. Participants also included representatives of employers' organizations, productivity centres and entrepreneurial training organizations.

The Centre is the training arm of the ILO and provides practical, needs-based training for governments, employers' and workers' organizations in ILO member States as well as customized training programmes for multilateral agencies, such as the World Bank. In addition to its campus in Turin, Italy, the Centre also runs courses at the country level. Over the years, the Caribbean has benefited from its many programmes - both at Turin and in the region. Due to the high cost of travel however, there have been several calls for more training opportunities to be offered in the region.

Among the areas explored for collaboration were evaluation, distance learning, use of local training facilities, and training in international labour standards. Mr. Frans Lenglet, Director of Training at the Centre and Dr. Ana Teresa Romero, Director, ILO Subregional Office for the Caribbean led the discussions.

Participants were also able to learn first hand about the Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network (CKLN) being set up by the Caribbean Telecommunication Union to enhance distance learning. Mr. Selby Wilson, Telecommunications Strategist of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union delivered the presentation on the CKLN.

The Centre offers a wide range of courses including courses in Enterprise Development, Management of Development, Employment and Skills Development, and Distance Education and Learning Technology Applications.