Background and objective

As part of its efforts to advocate for knowledge and capacity building on employment-related issues, the ILO Employment Policy Department has developed two major knowledge platforms: the Skills and Lifelong Learning Knowledge Sharing Platform (SKILLS KSP) and the YouthForesight knowledge facility. The two platforms have established partnerships across the Office, constituents as well as other stakeholders to promote collaboration, knowledge transfer and knowledge-sharing. The two knowledge platforms aim to provide a comprehensive knowledge base that will contribute to developing and scaling good practices and innovations in youth employment, skills development and lifelong learning. ILO EMPLAB and SKILLS jointly organize this information session to introduce the platforms and activities around them. The session will start with an introduction to the visions, goals and key issues that led to the creation of the global tools. In the second half of the session, the audience will learn about the functionalities and opportunities to engage on both platforms smoothly and effectively.

Knowledge Sharing Platform for Skills and Lifelong Learning

Skills development is among the greatest challenges facing countries, enterprises, and people worldwide today. It plays a vital role in promoting employment, economic growth, and inclusive societies. Relevant skills training requires bridging the world of education and training to the world of work. Bringing together enterprises, labour, government and trainers at the local, industry and national levels ensures that training is relevant to the needs of businesses and labour markets and is accessible to young people and workers throughout their careers. This partnership can also ensure that skills is a driver of change – enabling innovation and technology adaptation, promoting investment, and creating more and better jobs.

The Skills and Lifelong Learning Knowledge Sharing Platform (SKILLS KSP) aims to help strengthen the links between education and training to productive and decent work by sharing approaches, knowledge and experiences that governments, employers, workers and international organizations have found effective in addressing these issues of common concern across the world.

The SKILLS KSP helps users with different knowledge needs - including policy advisors, employers, training institutions, academics - find the information and analysis they are looking for. For each “topic”, information is organized as a pyramid of knowledge products, starting from a base of statistics and comprehensive research reports to national skills policies and concise policy alternatives at the apex.

The platform is linked to a monthly newsletter sent to subscribed contacts containing curated informational content from news articles to resources and events. The site attracts approximately 125,000 visitors annually from representatives of international organizations, researchers, government institutions and employers’ organizations.

YouthForesight Knowledge Facility

ILO-led Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth (DJY) and Generation Unlimited (GenU) are two initiatives sharing a common vision to improve the livelihood of young people around the world. Under the MOU signed by the ILO and UNICEF on Skills Development, two initiatives jointly launched the YouthForesight knowledge facility in 2021, as a one-stop shop with knowledge resources for evidence-based action on education and skilling, employment, entrepreneurship, and engagement for youth.

The platform is divided into three parts: Learn, Engage, and Contribute. The Learn section include key resources such as publications; latest data at national, regional, and global level; trusted platforms and databases on policies, standard and legislation; tools; news and blogs. The engage section includes interactive resources such as webinars, online courses, videos and events. The Contribute section allows users to submit knowledge resources, gain visibility and tap into a vast network of stakeholders dedicated to creating positive change for young people.

In addition to the latest knowledge resources, the YouthForesight Community Forum provides a space for stakeholders to connect, share knowledge and collaborate; the bi-monthly YouthForesight newsletter and webinar series facilitate the sharing of key evidence and good practices in a supportive community of both initiatives; Decent Jobs for Youth and Generation Unlimited are also working on joint knowledge development under the partnership. Since its launch, the knowledge facility supported the curation of over 1000 key knowledge resources contributed by over 70 organizations. The ILO’s knowledge has been appreciated by various stakeholders with the highest number of quality contributions. The platform has over 800 users and about 300 members joined the YouthForesight Community Forum. In 2021, over 1000 participants joined YouthForesight webinars.

Audiences

The initial session will target ILO contributors, while future sessions will include external collaborators.

When and when

Online, through Zoom. Access the registration page.

The session will be recorded, and the videos will be shared by email and on the ILO website, for those who could not assist or are willing to refer back to some of the learnings.

The first information session will take place on 22 June 14:00 - 15:30 CEST.

Other sessions will be organized, based on initial feedback from the first session, and extended to external contributors.