All publications for topic

Skills development

Skills Matter!

The continuum of interventions allowed for meaningful changes in people’s lives, in institutions’ capacity, in companies’ productivity and in the way the TVET system operates. The ILO interventions, with the support of the European Union and the Government of Canada, aim to strengthen the skills system governance, the development of skills policies and qualifications frameworks; the delivery of quality skills training and certification, and the inclusiveness of TVET. They include the European Union funded TVET-Reform project (2007-15) and Skills 21 project (2017-24), and the Government of Canada funded B-SEP project (2013-19), ProGRESS project (2022-27); and ISEC project (2022-25); ISEC is partially funded by the Kingdom of Netherlands.This brochure captures the main changes these projects brought forward for people, institutions, and companies.

Policy brief

Strengthening apprenticeships for transitions to formality

Quality apprenticeships play a pivotal role in facilitating the transition from the informal to the formal economy. Key strategies for enhancing apprenticeships in the informal economy towards quality apprenticeships involve capitalizing on existing systems, promoting social dialogue, strengthening apprenticeship contracts, building the capacity of MSMEs and their associations, ensuring off-the-job learning opportunities, recognizing prior learning, and promoting equality, diversity, and social inclusion.

ILO Caribbean NewsLink September 2023

In this issue: The Bahamas validates new National Apprenticeship Policy, ILO-led business coaching boosts livelihood development of women entrepreneurs in Grenada, ILO participates in Trinidad and Tobago consultation on legislation governing HIV and AIDS in the workplace and more

ILO Brief

Statistical Brief - Apprentices in countries with large informal economies

This statistical brief compares country-level data on apprenticeships with an interest in countries with large informal economies. It investigates the possibilities and limitations of current labour force statistics to provide a snapshot on apprenticeships, with data compiled by the ILO from 27 countries (26 African and 1 South Asian countries). It also provides key findings and recommendations based on the comparative analysis.

ILO Caribbean NewsLink April 2023

In this issue: Government of Belize and ILO hold value chain analysis validation session with stakeholders for the growth of decent jobs through MSMEs; ILO participates in trade union seminar on securing pensions in Suriname; ILO assesses the financial sustainability of unemployment insurance systems during ISSA technical seminar in Antigua and Barbuda and more

Apprenticeships Development for Universal Lifelong Learning and Training (ADULT)

Towards lifelong learning and skills for the future of work: Global lessons from innovative apprenticeships

This report was compiled under the ILO’s research project – Apprenticeship Development for Universal Lifelong Learning and Training (ADULT) – funded by the Government of Flanders. The project aims to explore how apprenticeship systems are being modernised and transformed to promote and enable lifelong learning and decent work for youth, adults, and older workers (both employed and unemployed). The main report, Towards Lifelong Learning and Skills for the Future of Work: Global Lessons from Innovative Apprenticeships, synthesizes the topics of six individual thematic reports and three additional themes which are only featured in the main report. It explores how apprenticeships can enable people to acquire new skills and update existing skills throughout their working lives to keep pace with the fast-changing labour market demand.

Apprenticeships Development for Universal Lifelong Learning and Training (ADULT)

Good practices in apprenticeships in India: Challenges and opportunities

This report was compiled under the ILO’s research project – Apprenticeship Development for Universal Lifelong Learning and Training (ADULT) – funded by the Government of Flanders. The project aims to explore how apprenticeship systems are being modernised and transformed to promote and enable lifelong learning and decent work for youth, adults, and older workers (both employed and unemployed). The country-level report “Good practices in apprenticeships in India: Challenges and opportunities” has been produced by the ILO as part of the ADULT project. It provides the overview of the apprenticeship system in India and discuss in detail the various reforms undertaken to promote apprenticeship in the country. With the help of primary research conducted as part of the report, new ideas and policy options have been evolved which enables lifelong learning mainstreaming apprenticeship in the TVET system of the country.

Apprenticeships Development for Universal Lifelong Learning and Training (ADULT)

Unlocking apprenticeship potential in small and medium enterprises

This report was compiled under the ILO’s research project – Apprenticeship Development for Universal Lifelong Learning and Training (ADULT) – funded by the Government of Flanders. The project aims to explore how apprenticeship systems are being modernised and transformed to promote and enable lifelong learning and decent work for youth, adults, and older workers (both employed and unemployed). This research paper titled “Unlocking apprenticeship potential in small and medium enterprises” explores the status of SMEs that offer apprenticeship opportunities in various countries, the reasons for the low participation of enterprises with especial reference to developing and developed countries and the various factors which affect the participation of enterprises in apprenticeship. It also highlights the experiences and lessons learned from the initiatives taken by various countries in encouraging employers to participate in the apprenticeships.

Apprenticeships Development for Universal Lifelong Learning and Training (ADULT)

Good practices in Apprenticeships in South-Africa: Challenges and Opportunities

This report was compiled under the ILO’s research project – Apprenticeship Development for Universal Lifelong Learning and Training (ADULT) – funded by the Government of Flanders. The project aims to explore how apprenticeship systems are being modernised and transformed to promote and enable lifelong learning and decent work for youth, adults, and older workers (both employed and unemployed). The “Good practices in Apprenticeships in South-Africa: Challenges and Opportunities” country level report has been produced by the ILO as part of the ADULT project. It provides an overview of the South African apprenticeship system and captures contextual factors at the country level with a view to modernizing apprenticeships. The report also highlights the specific challenges of the system, including social stigma, levels of development of the apprenticeship system, gender inequalities as well as examples of good practice and initiatives taken to improve apprenticeship training in South Africa.

Apprenticeships Development for Universal Lifelong Learning and Training (ADULT)

Country-level report: Apprenticeships for adults and older workers in Finland

This report was compiled under the ILO’s research project – Apprenticeship Development for Universal Lifelong Learning and Training (ADULT) – funded by the Government of Flanders. The project aims to explore how apprenticeship systems are being modernised and transformed to promote and enable lifelong learning and decent work for youth, adults, and older workers (both employed and unemployed). The country-level report “Apprenticeships for adults and older workers in Finland” has been produced by the ILO as part of the ADULT project. It provides an overview of the VET system and alignment with the general education system in Finland and highlights elements relating to the development of adult apprenticeships. The report also highlights the policies, guidelines and strategy undertaken by the country for promotion of adult apprenticeships so as to make them attractive for adults, employers and TVET institutes alike.

The Future of Work and Lifelong Learning

Promoting apprenticeships to meet the skills needs of the digital and knowledge economy

This report was compiled under the ILO’s research project – Apprenticeship Development for Universal Lifelong Learning and Training (ADULT) – funded by the Government of Flanders. The project aims to explore how apprenticeship systems are being modernised and transformed to promote and enable lifelong learning and decent work for youth, adults, and older workers (both employed and unemployed). The research paper titled “Promoting apprenticeships to meet the skills needs of the digital and knowledge economy” explores the impact of the digital technologies on jobs.

The Future of Work and Lifelong Learning

Strengthening work-based learning in VET institutions

This report was compiled under the ILO’s research project – Apprenticeship Development for Universal Lifelong Learning and Training (ADULT) – funded by the Government of Flanders. The project aims to explore how apprenticeship systems are being modernised and transformed to promote and enable lifelong learning and decent work for youth, adults, and older workers (both employed and unemployed). The research paper titled “Strengthening work-based learning in VET institutions” explores the initiatives undertaken by countries across the world to strengthen WBL in school-based VET, the role of local industry and social partners. It also discusses the various innovative policy options which can be introduced for supporting WBL in school-based VET.

The Future of Work and Lifelong Learning

Adapting apprenticeships for the reskilling and upskilling of adults

This report was compiled under the ILO’s research project – Apprenticeship Development for Universal Lifelong Learning and Training (ADULT) – funded by the Government of Flanders. The project aims to explore how apprenticeship systems are being modernised and transformed to promote and enable lifelong learning and decent work for youth, adults, and older workers (both employed and unemployed). The research paper titled “Adapting apprenticeships for the reskilling and upskilling of adults” explores how apprenticeships can enable the people to acquire new skills and update existing skills throughout their working life, thereby addressing the fast-changing labour market demand. Furthermore, the paper highlights the new role of apprenticeship training within lifelong learning systems.

The Future of Work and Lifelong Learning

The digital transformation of apprenticeships: Emerging opportunities and barriers

This report was compiled under the ILO’s research project – Apprenticeship Development for Universal Lifelong Learning and Training (ADULT) – funded by the Government of Flanders. The project aims to explore how apprenticeship systems are being modernised and transformed to promote and enable lifelong learning and decent work for youth, adults, and older workers (both employed and unemployed). The research paper titled “Digital transformation of apprenticeship systems” explores how digital technology can be used to improve the effectiveness, inclusiveness, and efficiency of apprenticeships. It also highlights the ongoing and emerging innovative practices in using digital and educational technology.

The Future of Work and Lifelong Learning

Improving the attractiveness and social perception of apprenticeships

This report was compiled under the ILO’s research project – Apprenticeship Development for Universal Lifelong Learning and Training (ADULT) – funded by the Government of Flanders. The project aims to explore how apprenticeship systems are being modernised and transformed to promote and enable lifelong learning and decent work for youth, adults, and older workers (both employed and unemployed). The research paper titled “Improving the attractiveness and social perception of apprenticeships” explores reasons why apprenticeships are sometimes regarded as unattractive or low status career choices. It also highlights the experiences and lessons learned from the initiatives taken by various countries in improving the attractiveness of apprenticeships. These include structural changes and enhancements to apprenticeship programs, as well as better promotion of apprenticeships to potential apprentices and those who advise them.

ILO Caribbean NewsLink August 2022

In this issue: ILO to conduct Actuarial Review of Belize’s Social Security Scheme and the cost assessment for the unemployment insurance; Skills development through quality apprenticeships: Addressing skills mismatch and youth unemployment; The Caribbean to benefit from the expertise of newly ILO certified business coaches; Latin America and the Caribbean constituents envision workplaces free from violence and harassment; ILO to assist the Saint Lucia Employers’ Federation in developing membership strategy; Youth labour market integration: the case for quality apprenticeships in the Caribbean; Recovery in youth employment is still lagging, says ILO; Video: Building a new vision for the pineapple value chain in Suriname and more

Employer tracer study and perception of public vocational training center (BLK) graduates

The objective of this study is to provide a snapshot of the absorption level of BLK graduates by industry, and to capture employer opinions of the competency and performance of BLK graduates.

Tanzania SKILLS Newsletter Issue 03

Download this publication to find out more about ILO and partner skills development stories and updates on the ILO Global Programme on Skills and Lifelong Learning (GPSL3) Tanzania (SKILLS).

ILO Caribbean NewsLink May 2022

In this issue: Antigua and Barbuda became the first country in the Caribbean to ratify the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190); ISSA webinar highlights the need for unemployment insurance in the Caribbean region; ILO supports social dialogue, costing and design of the Unemployment Insurance in Jamaica; ILO launches business coaching for rural enterprises and farmers in the Caribbean; One hundred MSMEs in the agricultural and fisheries sectors complete training under ILO-Ministry formalization project in Jamaica; Participants from five Caribbean countries complete 6-week quality apprenticeship course; Domestic workers in Jamaica receive entrepreneurship grants from the ILO-Ministry partnership; Staff movements; A tribute to Ms Jacqui Maria Morris and more

ILO Working paper 49

How to strengthen informal apprenticeship systems for a better future of work?: Lessons learned from comparative analysis of country cases