The COVID-19 crisis has accelerated the changes in the world of work. It also reminded us that no one is spared from the need of re-skilling and upskilling and learning new methods to be active at work. The sense of urgency is felt widely and more strongly than ever to establish effective skills and lifelong learning systems in order to support the resilience of the workforce against current and future disruptions. To respond to this need the ILO Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work and its human-centred approach make a strong case for acting on a “joint responsibility” to invest in people’s capabilities. Further, the 2021 International Labour Conference adopted comprehensive ILC Conclusions on Skills and Lifelong Learning, and tasked the Office to develop a strategy for skills and lifelong learning that will provide the vision and the objectives for ILO involvement in the subject. This Strategy will be discussed for adoption in the November 2022 Governing Body.

The ILO has established a Global Programme on Skills and Lifelong Learning (GPSL3) to deliver on these expectations. The GPSL3 serves as an operational arm of the ILO Global Technical Team on skills and lifelong learning. It works as an accelerator of the Office’s actions to reach the ILO Programme & Budget Outcome 5. It also serves as facilitator of knowledge management and innovation on skills and lifelong learning. The preparatory phase of the GPS3L started in 2021, and its full fledged version is now starting for three biennia, till 2028.

This Skills Structure Funding Dialogue (SFD) meeting will bring together like-minded development partners interested in skills and lifelong learning to:

• Reach a common understanding on the case for skills development and lifelong learning for the future of work and a human centered recovery from COVID-19;
• Take stock of advantages of pursuing tripartite approach in the area of skills development and lifelong learning, showcasing direct evidence of impact and achievements;
• Identify the long-term changes to be achieved through the Global Programme's (GPSL3) interventions for skills development and lifelong learning and the required funding;
• Share new operational and funding modalities for donors’ possible commitment and support to ILO’s work in the areas of skills development and lifelong learning at global and country level;
• Create a momentum for bilateral discussions on resource mobilization and partnerships for concrete financial commitments to the GPSL3 in 2022 and beyond.

The SFD will be held in a hybrid format, with ILO staff present at ILO Headquarters in Geneva, and other attendees connecting via the e-platform. Simultaneous interpretation will be provided in English, French and Spanish, and other languages requested by participants. Participants with disabilities should feel free to contact Ms. Aparajita Singh (singha@ilo.org) for necessary arrangements.

Preliminary Agenda

11:00 - 11:10: Welcoming and Introductory Remarks
The ILO’s Deputy Director-General for Field Operations and Partnerships will welcome all participants and share some introductory remarks.

11:10 - 11:40: High- level opening
In this segment, keynote speakers speak about the centrality of Skills for many social and economic outcomes, for the implementation of the Centenary Declaration and a human centred recovery and share their experience of past partnerships with ILO on skills development and LLL.

11:40 - 12:40: Partnering with ILO on skills development
The Skills and Employability Branch will present ILO’s vision and investment case for skills development and lifelong learning for the next 6 years and introduce the Global Programme on Skills and Lifelong Learning (GPSL3).
The Partnerships and Field Support Department (PARDEV) will present the ILO’s funding modalities, proposing several options for partners to channel support to the ILO’s ongoing efforts towards skills development and lifelong learning, especially through the GPSL3.

12:40 - 12:50: Comfort break

12:50 - 14:00: Parallel thematic sessions
Parallel discussions will be held on key global priorities and how skills development can contribute to achieving positive results in these areas.

• Skills for digitalisation
• Skills for social inclusion
• Skills for just transition to environmental sustainability

The aim of these discussions is to align understanding on the centrality of skills for economic and social transformations, share relevant experiences, and provide inputs on the role the GPSL3 could play in reaching these higher-level outcomes.

14:00 - 15:00: High-level round table: Partnerships on skills development and lifelong learning
In this segment, partners would discuss the various dimensions of partnerships.

15:00 - 15:30: Closing and way forward
The closing session recaps key takeaways from the meeting, “why skills, why the ILO, how can we partner”.