Countries are finding it increasingly difficult to respond to the skills needs of their workforce in a time of increasing globalization, new technology and changing patterns of work. Many have severe shortages of skilled labour due to the out-migration of skilled workers, an ageing workforce or simply the lack of capacity to provide training. Training programmes are often out of date and there is a mismatch between the needs of the workplace and courses currently offered. The Committee on Skills report from the 97th Session of the International Labour Conference indicated that that the countries sought to improve the match between demand and supply of skills to success in linking skills development to productivity and employment. Countries in the Asia Pacific region are seeking ways to improve this situation but they have limited time and resources funds to devote to implement effective skills development strategies.

In April 2008, the ILO/SKILLS-AP/Korea/Second Technical Meeting of the Regional Skills Network (RSN) Partner Organizations in Asia and the Pacific identified the skills priority issues in the Asia Pacific. Government, employer and worker representatives of the ILO member States in the Asia Pacific including participated in this important meeting. Following the meeting, the various country reports were analyzed and the key skills issues facing member countries were documented. The mismatch between available training and the skills needed by employers and workers was again identified as a key problem.

The issues and problems that cause the mismatch are generally easily recognized. However, many member States have requested the ILO to assist in developing strategies to address the needs. Different countries have used various strategies to address these problems and ILO is a good position to share the various alternatives and to provide technical advice.

Objective of the workshop

The aim of this workshop is to provide an opportunity for target groups to discuss and find effective ways to address some aspects of the reasons for the skills mismatch between the available training and the needs of employers and workers. International experience including Japanese Scheme “Japanese Public Vocational Training Centres” will be shared to the participants. The workshop will focus on the designing training to match the needs of government, employers and workers. The following themes will be included in presentations:

• Effective ways to identify training needs including the need for workplace learning;
• Designing training to match the needs of government, employers and workers;
• Removing barriers to updating training programme;
• Upgrading and supporting trainers and instructors;
• Career guidance for trainees.

Programme structure and methodology

The workshop will cover a variety of methodologies including technical sessions, group discussions, study visit, and preparation of national action plan.

Information on skills development in the workplace and skills mismatch will be provided. Discussion will focus on the way to identify training needs and design to match the needs of constituents. A study programme will include case studies and visits to companies which participate in the Japan International Scheme.

There is an extensive range of technical resources covering each of these areas and preparation for the workshop will involve the selection of appropriate materials to be presented. ILO priorities and prior research will be taken into account in the development of resource material.

Participants

Senior level staff of the national vocational training organizations involved in the planning and development of the national skills policies and systems from India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand will be invited. Workers and employers organizations dealing with this subject will also be invited to participate and share their experience.