Skills for Rural Employment and Development

Three quarters of the world’s poor reside in rural areas where decent work deficits are particularly severe. This is further exacerbated by the lack of access to social protection, low incomes, absence of labour law coverage and a high degree of informality. Additional barriers include weak labour market institutions, inadequate infrastructure, fewer educational opportunities and underinvestment. Formal wage employment is scarce and self-employment, microenterprises, and informal work dominate.

Skills development and training is a key factor in tackling the challenges of rural poverty. By promoting employability and enhancing income earning opportunities, skills training can lift women and men out of poverty and promote sustainable rural livelihood. The ILO’s Training for Rural Economic Empowerment (TREE) Programme provides an example of a proven approach that assists those working in poor rural communities to build the relevant skills and abilities for employment and income generation.