Vocational skills development in thematic contexts

VSD and social inclusion

The interrelation of VSD and social inclusion is twofold: on the one hand, VSD is a powerful instrument for promoting the social inclusion of its clientele. On the other hand it can fulfil this function only if and when the VSD intervention itself applies an inclusive approach.

• Gender

  

  SDC promotes Vocational Skills Development (VSD) that is accessible to all population groups, including women and men. Women often face greater challenges in accessing training and employment opportunities. A significant factor is that girls and women generally have lower levels of education compared to men. Enhancing access to basic education and equipping women with skills for income-generating occupations are crucial for reducing global poverty. To address this, VSD options must be specifically designed to meet women's needs and promote gender equality. Discrimination, however, begins long before women enter the workforce. Societal role models, established during early childhood and youth, significantly impact educational opportunities. Traditional gender roles within families, gender-specific rights and obligations, and unequal access to resources further perpetuate this disparity. Therefore, when developing basic education and VSD programs, it is essential to consider this broader social context.

  A guidance sheet helps ensure gender issues are integrated into VSD, focusing on:

  • Pro-active Recruitment of Trainees: It is generally more difficult to engage women than men in VSD, particularly women who experience multiple, intersecting inequalities such as caste and ethnic-based discrimination, low income, and living in a remote geographical location. Depending on the project goal, either design training specifically for such women or include certain courses tailored to their needs and target them in recruitment campaigns.
  • Gender-friendly Teaching: Ensure that training institutes are comfortable learning environments for women, with separate toilets, childcare possibilities, and training materials that show women and men in employment. As far as possible, aim to have a mixed staff of women and men trainers.
  • Link Training to Employment: Work with potential employers to ensure that training is relevant and fits market demand and that equal opportunities for women and men are championed. Aim to link training performance to the successful subsequent employment of graduates.

  • SDC Guidance VSD and Gender

    PDF268.95 kB1 May 2016

• Youth

  

  In many of SDC’s partner countries, young people who cannot access tertiary education face high risks of unemployment or low-paid underemployment, often within the informal economy, leading to poverty and social exclusion. Participation in quality skills development can help them secure decent jobs, earn a living, and participate both economically and socially in their communities.

  However, on average, only about ten percent of these young people without access to tertiary education benefit from vocational skills development programs. Those who do benefit are often the better-off, while disadvantaged groups—such as young people from poor families, those living in remote rural areas, ethnic minorities, or those with low educational levels—struggle to access these programs. Therefore, SDC’s VSD interventions must ensure the creation of additional VSD opportunities and facilitate access for disadvantaged groups who would otherwise be excluded.

• Digitalisation & information and communication technologies

  

  Digitalisation has the potential to drive significant economic and social change, making it a priority in the IC Strategy 2021–24. Digital technology plays a crucial role in development by enabling more efficient achievement of development goals and fostering innovation.

  Digital transformation in partner countries can enhance vocational skills development (VSD) by integrating digital tools and methodologies into training programs. This not only improves the efficiency and reach of VSD initiatives but also ensures that learners acquire relevant digital skills needed in modern economies. However, challenges such as lack of internet access, high costs, and inadequate digital literacy hinder the effective use of these technologies. In the least developed countries, only 19% of people have internet access, compared to 87% in developed countries. This digital divide exacerbates social and economic inequalities, particularly affecting women.

  The transformative effects of digitalisation have been intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has fundamentally altered learning and teaching worldwide. This shift has underscored the need for innovative educational practices and the integration of digital technologies. In response, various actors in Vocational Skills Development (VSD) have launched distance learning programs to support apprentices and VET students during the restrictions.

  To tackle these challenges, the SDC established the ICVET group, dedicated to discussing issues related to digitalisation in VSD. This group has developed a series of outcome papers to guide these efforts. By addressing digital challenges and incorporating digital tools into VSD, we can create more resilient and inclusive education systems that better prepare learners for the future.

  • TechGuide Quality Learning for Inclusion with Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)

    PDF9.71 MB1 December 2021

• Migration

  Migration is a defining feature of the 21st century, playing a critical role in reducing poverty and inequalities and fostering prosperity, innovation, and sustainable development. As such, it is integral to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. However, migration also presents significant challenges, with global migration flows increasing due to conflict, displacement, climate change, and human rights violations.

  One of the primary challenges faced by migrants, including refugees, is access to the labour market, often hindered by regulatory and practical barriers. Vocational Skills Development (VSD) offers effective tools to address these challenges, supporting the integration and empowerment of migrants and refugees through:

  • Industry Solutions: Providing a competent workforce for various industries
  • Labour Market Integration: Facilitating direct employment and income opportunities for migrants, including refugees
  • Access and Inclusion: Ensuring migrants and refugees have access to VSD programs
  • VSD System Enhancement: Improving the performance and readiness of VSD systems to accommodate migrants and refugees, addressing issues such as conflict-induced forced displacement, circular labour migration, and the needs of internally and regionally displaced persons

  By leveraging VSD, pathways can be created for migrants and refugees to integrate into the labour market, contributing to their personal development and the overall socio-economic growth of their host communities. The SDC supports programme staff respectively through a dedicated working tool.

  • SDC Guidance VSD and Migration

    PDF681.50 kB1 May 2020

Key documents