The connection between skill development and productivity growth is an issue constantly under discussion when analysing competitiveness of countries. The impact of workers' training and educational level on the competitiveness of economies is not only noticed worldwide but also at regional and sub-regional levels.

Due to their contribution to the development of skills and competencies, vocational training institutions are a source of comparative advantages to promote the growth in productivity and reflect such growth in more and better jobs. A better access to relevant vocational training enables more workers to take advantage of the benefits of technological advance and economic growth and it is an important policy tool to ensure a fair and efficient adjustment process to technological changes.

This document includes a selection of the case documents presented by the institutions at the technical meeting "The role of vocational training in productivity, employment and development in Latin America and the Caribbean" (Salvador, Bahia, September, 2007) and was organized by Cinterfor/ILO with the support of the ILO Skills and Employability Department "EMP/SKILLS" and sponsored by SENAI of Brazil.

With the purpose of activating and managing knowledge applied to vocational training, Cinterfor/ILO has decided to promote the spread of good practices and therefore sharing knowledge regarding the role played by vocational training in the growth of productivity.

Table of contents

INTRODUCTION

SENAI. INSTITUTIONAL ENVIRONMENT FAVORABLE TO TECHNOLOGICAL DIFFUSION

Presentation: José Manoel de Aguiar Martins

I. Introduction

II. SENAI Prospecting Model: results synthesis

III. Interaction for Technological Diffusion

IV. SENAI Modernization Management

V. Human Resources Capacity

IV.1. SENAI's Modernization Programme

IV.2. SENAI's Technological Diffusion Project

IV.3. Contribution to the National Programme of Professor Capacity

IV.4. Access to Publications

VI. Publications

PRODUCTIVITY, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND EMPLOYMENT

Juan Camilo Montes Pineda

I. Introduction

II. First consideration: Entrepreneurship is a value chain

III. Three pillars of entrepreneurship policy

A. Vocational training, education and, in general, learning within the frame of productivity and entrepreneurial thinking

B. Formal development of a supporting industry

C. Implementation of creative sources for enterprise financing

IV. Entrepreneurship at sena, certain challenges

SKILL DEVELOPMENT, PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENT AND THE IMPACT OF HEART TRUST-NTA IN JAMAICA

Tom McArdle

1. Introduction

2. The Productivity Gap in Jamaica and the Caribbean

3. Qualifications of the Workforce

4. Government Policies on Productivity

5. HEART Trust-NTA and Productivity Improvement

6. Proxy Indicators for Possible Productivity Improvement

7. Best Practices in the HEART Trust-NTA Experience & Lessons Learnt

8. The CSME, CANTA, and the Caribbean Vocational Qualification

9. Some Conclusions and Implications

References

Acronyms and Abbreviations

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY IN VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR PRODUCTIVITY, EMPLOYMENT GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT SENATI'S EXPERIENCE

Patricia Llanos Goyena

I. Background

1.1 The origins of SENATI

1.2 Participation of employers in vocational training

1.3 Current teaching model

1.4 Impact of accidents on productivity

II. Experience on occupational health and safety at SENATI

2.1 Implementation process of the occupational health and safety system

2.2 Towards a new objective and a new challenge for the institution

2.3 Results of the implementation

III. Teaching and learning methodology

3.1 Main processes for vocational training at SENATI

INFOTEP AND SIMAPRO. TRAINING AND PRODUCTIVITY EXPERIENCE IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Juan Casilla - Leonard Mertens

Introduction

Background and context

Track record of INFOTEP with SIMAPRO

Typical case of design and implementation of the GAEC (2007)

Challenges and future actions: SIMAPRO - INFOTEP

1. Strategic

2. Extension of the implementation

3. SIMAPRO management competencies

4. SIMAPRO sustainability

THE EXPERIENCE OF EDUCATION FOR WORK OF THE POCET/CENET, HONDURAS 1990-2007.

EDUCATION/TRAINING AND INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY

Mario Hugo Rosal G.

Introduction

A new approach in adult education

Women's participation and the environment

Education for work and its labour and productive impact on the population

Final remarks