Title:  How to Strengthen Partnerships and Coordination?

Date: 4 August 2015

Time:  10:45 – 12:00

Objectives:

• To discuss recent trends and future directions in partnerships for TVET and skills development from both regional and global perspectives;
• To present regional and international initiatives and partnerships to support skills development; and
• To recommend a framework for building partnerships for skills development to address the gaps, and to monitor progress in achieving the objectives of the Shanghai Consensus (Shanghai, 2012).

 Key questions:

• What are the lessons learned for partnership-building from the process of establishing the ASEAN Qualification Reference Framework (AQRF)?
• What can other sub-regions in Asia and the Pacific learn from the ASEAN Qualification Reference Framework (AQRF) in terms of cooperation?
• What should be the role of governments (including local governments) in strengthening partnerships and cooperation?
• How could regional tripartite collaboration be applied to build resilient and adaptable TVET structures?
• How can the private sector be better involved in skills development and TVET?
• What are the key features of successful collaborative skill development models?

 Facilitators:

• Mr. Leon Gaskin, UNESCO
• Prof. Dato Dr. Mohd. Noh Dalimi, University Tun Hussein Onn, Malaysia

Speakers:

• Ms. Irene Isaac, TESDA, Philippines
• Ms. Amy Loyd, Pathways to Prosperity Network, Jobs for the Future, USA (video)
• Mr. Simon Song, Robert Bosch Sdn Bhd, Malaysia

Outline:

As recognized in the Shanghai Consensus (2012), partnerships and coordination are key for improving TVET quality and relevance. The growing economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region has led to greater opportunities for the mobility of industries and workers within and across borders. Consequently, partnerships and cooperation at all levels become even more critical and require further attention.

In the Asia-Pacific region, the establishment of the ASEAN Qualification Reference Framework (AQRF) is a good example to demonstrate the building of partnerships in Southeast Asia. Ms. Irene Isaac, Deputy Director of TESDA in the Philippines and a member of the working committee on ARQF, will elaborate on challenges and opportunities for regional cooperation through AQRF, and draw lessons for a partnership framework in TVET.

As the Executive Director of the Paths to Prosperity Network, Ms. Amy Loyds has been working on the design, implementation and scaling up of system-level reforms aimed at creating flexible work and learning opportunities in the USA. The Network connects high schools with community colleges and industry certification programs in economic sectors projected to grow rapidly in the coming years. Ms. Loyds will share her experiences, identify key features for creating conducive environments for successful collaborations which could be adapted and applied in the Asia-Pacific region.

To ensure that students acquire skills and knowledge that correspond to the needs of the labour market, employers need to be involved in shaping TVET policies and practices. Mr. Simon Song, Managing Director of Bosch, Malaysia, will introduce the company’s strategy and practices in skills development and discuss ways in which companies can effectively be engaged in skills development. He will also share his thoughts on the role of governments and other stakeholders in improving the relevance of TVET, and give input for a partnership-framework in TVET from a private sector perspective.