Transforming Technical and Vocational Education and Training for Refugees: Skills and Labour Market Transitions in Contexts of Fragility

Background

The Transforming Education Summit spotlights five areas (“Thematic Action Tracks”) that require greater attention and action to accelerate progress on the education 2030 Agenda and transform education:

1. Inclusive, equitable, safe, and healthy schools
2. Learning and skills for life, work, and sustainable development
3. Teachers, teaching and the teaching profession
4. Digital learning and transformation
5. Financing of education

Each Thematic Action Track produced a discussion paper that presented the key elements of transformation and key recommendations, based on research evidence, good practices collated, broad consultations, and discussions at the Transforming Education Pre-Summit. This event contributes to the second Thematic Action Track of Learning and skills for life, work, and sustainable development.

Co-organizers

• Finn Church Aid (FCA)
• Government of Finland
• Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) – Government of Germany
• The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
• International Labour Organization (ILO)

Summary

The session will launch the report “Skills and Labour Market Transitions for Refugees and Host Communities”, a joint collaboration between UNHCR, the ILO, GIZ and FCA. During the event, participants will be UNHCR, the ILO, GIZ and FCA. The event will:

• Present key study suggestions/ recommendations and success factors and build an evidence base for the successful inclusion of refugees and IDPs into TVET programmes, and their transition to the world of work.
• Present the key building blocks for a holistic, quality TVET delivery as part of the education systems of an emerging economy
• Highlight best practices that can inform and guide TVET programming at the national level, particularly those that emphasize partnerships.
• Support TES thematic action track 2: learning and skills for life, work and sustainable development

Speakers

Session moderator: Matthieu Cognac, Multilateral Cooperation Specialist, ILO

Minister Remarks

• Ms. Li Andersson, Finnish Minister of Education
• Jordanian Ministry representative
• Kenyan Ministry representative

Panel Discussion Moderator: Matthieu Cognac, Multilateral Cooperation Specialist, ILO

Panelists:

• Ms. Ruven Menikdiwela, UNHCR Representative, New York
• Mr. Oliver Liang, Unit Head, ILO Sectoral Policies Department, ILO
• Mr. Tobias Erbert, Program Coordinator, Qualifications and Employment Perspectives for Refugees and Host Communities in Ethiopia Programme (QEP)
• Mr. Wycliffe Nsheka, FCA Country Director
• Ms. Jonalie, Congolese youth refugee and blacksmith, Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement
• Closing Remarks by Dr. Heike Kuhn, Head of the Education Division at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

About the study

In order to identify best practices related to access to TVET programmes for refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs), as well as their host communities, and their transition to the labour market, FCA, the United Nations Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), International Labour Organization (ILO), and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) commissioned a study to review TVET systems and programmes implemented by various actors across five countries – Ethiopia, Jordan, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda.

In the joint study Skills and Labour Market Transitions for Refugees and Host Communities the partners identified solutions to overcoming barriers in accessing TVET. The study also pinpointed best practices for an effective transition to the labour market and recognized success factors regarding retention in, and completion of, TVET programmes.