Background

In close collaboration with ASEAN Secretariat, ILO has initiated the implementation of Mutual Recognition of Skills (MRS) to assist ASEAN Member States (AMS) in preparing themselves for a region with free flow of skilled labour. Since 2012, ILO has facilitated a series of regional and national consultation meetings to push forward the implementation of MRS. These meetings were participated by SLOM focal points, Skills focal points, employers and trade unions. Through these meetings, the role of MRS in recognizing technical/vocational skills has been significantly recognized and emphasized. Through the MRS process, the workers with a modest skill set can have their skills recognized within the ASEAN Qualification Referencing Framework (AQRF) in selected occupations.

In connection with the MRS and within the framework of the AQRF, each AMS developed an action plan defining the set of occupations for skills recognition process. These action plans have been presented and updates provided in past RSTWG meetings. It was envisaged by all AMS that the implementation process will take time and therefore will require long-term and consistent commitment at national level. As such, it is critical to establish a mechanism to ensure that the Action Plan is implemented, follow-up activities are conducted, and the MRS process moved forward in a coherent and efficient manner.

National Skills Focal Points were identified to support the implementation of MRS, with key responsibilities to coordinate national efforts and cooperate with peer agencies in other AMS in order to ensure the implementation of the MRS within the proposed timeframe.

The ILO Regional Skills Programme through its Korea-funded Project: “Towards a Mutual Recognition of Skills”, in collaboration with the ILO ASEAN TRIANGLE Project (ATP) has assisted the AMS select priority sectors and occupations to make their first step towards the mutual recognition of skills. This Project is now in its second phase (2015-2017) and focuses on continuing the assistance to AMS in establishing mutual-recognized qualifications mechanism in more industrial sectors.

In August 2014, during the Skills Focal Point meeting in Bangkok, the Regional Skills Technical Working Group (RSTWG) was established as a working-level technical group that supports all skills-related activities of the ILO including the Mutual Recognition of Skills project. It meets annually and is attended by up to two representatives from each of the AMS to discuss skills-related issues and the implementation. Further, it monitors progress of, reviews and addresses related issues and provide strategic direction when and where necessary.

Objectives 

This RSTWG will bring together the Skills Focal Points of AMS to discuss:

• Overview and developments on ILO Mutual Recognition of Skills Programme;
• Updates on the AQRF activities;
• Implementing the Project: Assistance to TVET Authorities in ASEAN to Prepare for Their Participation in AQRF at the TVET Levels and the ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework (AQRF)-AQRF-TVET Project;
• Demonstration and understanding of the level descriptors and the level to level linkages between the NQF and the AQRF at the TVET/skills levels; and
• Implementation and follow-up on the action plans of Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmarcollaboration with ASEAN Secretariat, ILO has initiated the implementation of Mutual Recognition of Skills (MRS) to assist ASEAN Member States (AMS) in preparing themselves for a region with free flow of skilled labour. Since 2012, ILO has facilitated a series of regional and national consultation meetings to push forward the implementation of MRS. These meetings were participated by SLOM focal points, Skills focal points, employers and trade unions. Through these meetings, the role of MRS in recognizing technical/vocational skills has been significantly recognized and emphasized. Through the MRS process, the workers with a modest skill set can have their skills recognized within the AQRF in selected occupations.