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Labour Markets and Vocational Education and Training (VET) in the Context of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Introduction

Labour markets and societies are currently experiencing significant changes due to structural factors like the green and digital transition. These changes have implications for skill requirements, and vocational education and training (VET) can play a crucial role in ensuring that individuals have the necessary skills for today’s and future labour markets. VET can also equip people with transversal skills that enable them to adapt to change. As an intersection between the education system and the labour market, VET is well-positioned to respond to changing skill needs. However, VET systems may need re-engineering to reach their full potential in the evolving context.

Relevance to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

VET systems have a significant impact on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By aligning VET programmes with labour market needs and providing opportunities for learners to develop transversal skills, VET contributes to SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. Additionally, by offering lifelong learning opportunities and ensuring inclusivity, VET supports SDG 4 and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.

Elements of Future-Ready VET Systems

1. Creating Responsive VET Systems

   To ensure the relevance of VET programmes in a changing world of work, alignment with labour market needs is crucial. This requires high-quality information on skill needs based on various data sources and stakeholder inputs. Engagement with social partners in VET policy development can ensure the provision of up-to-date programmes. Additionally, using information on skill needs can inform skills development opportunities for VET teachers.

2. Making VET More Inclusive through Increased Flexibility

   VET should provide training opportunities to a diverse audience. Flexibility is necessary to cater to students with different characteristics, needs, and aspirations. Additional guidance and support or tailored VET programmes can benefit learners at risk of dropping out or those with basic skills gaps. For adult learners, VET should offer accessible and relevant opportunities for up-skilling and re-skilling through modularisation, microcredentials, recognition of prior learning, part-time, and online provision.

3. Supporting Transitions

   Preparing individuals for a changing world of work requires strong foundational skills and a balance between general and vocational content in initial VET. Transversal skills and a lifelong learning mindset help VET graduates adapt to new challenges. Solid career guidance is essential to help individuals navigate the labour market and find suitable VET programmes.

4. Innovating in VET

   New teaching and learning methods, including the use of technology like simulators and virtual reality, can enhance VET delivery. Innovative pedagogical approaches and technology integration make VET more accessible, attractive, relevant, transparent, effective, and efficient. Strong leadership, well-trained VET teachers, and collaboration with the world of work are necessary for successful innovation. Policies addressing the cost of digital tools, improving knowledge about existing VET technologies, and stimulating the development of new tools can facilitate technology adoption.

Conclusion

This report emphasizes the importance of re-engineering VET systems to meet the needs of the future world of work. It presents key questions for policymakers and VET stakeholders to consider in their efforts. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, the report provides an overview of data, evidence, policies, and practices from OECD countries and beyond. By addressing these questions and implementing appropriate strategies, VET systems can contribute significantly to the achievement of the SDGs.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The article discusses the importance of vocational education and training (VET) in ensuring that individuals have the skills needed for the changing labor market and society. This aligns with SDG 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. The article also highlights the role of VET in supporting decent work and economic growth (SDG 8) and industry, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG 9). Additionally, the article emphasizes the need for VET to be inclusive and accessible to learners from various backgrounds, addressing the goal of reducing inequalities (SDG 10).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education, including university.
• SDG 8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education, or training.
• SDG 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending.
• SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.

The article’s content aligns with the following specific targets under the identified SDGs. SDG 4.3 emphasizes the need for equal access to technical, vocational, and tertiary education, which is relevant to the discussion on VET. SDG 8.6 focuses on reducing the proportion of youth not in employment, education, or training, highlighting the importance of VET in providing opportunities for young people. SDG 9.5 highlights the need to enhance technological capabilities and encourage innovation, which can be achieved through effective VET systems. SDG 10.2 emphasizes the importance of social and economic inclusion, which is addressed by making VET more accessible and inclusive.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Proportion of individuals enrolled in vocational education and training programs at different levels of education
• Proportion of VET programs aligned with labor market needs
• Availability of high-quality information on skill needs for designing responsive VET systems
• Engagement of social partners in VET policy development
• Proportion of VET programs tailored to the needs of learners with different characteristics and aspirations
• Availability of guidance and support for learners at risk of dropping out or with basic skills gaps
• Proportion of adults accessing up-skilling and re-skilling opportunities through VET
• Integration of new technologies, such as simulators and virtual reality, in VET provision
• Investment in research and development in VET

The article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators include the proportion of individuals enrolled in VET programs at different levels of education, the alignment of VET programs with labor market needs, the availability of high-quality information on skill needs, the engagement of social partners in VET policy development, the proportion of VET programs tailored to the needs of learners, the availability of guidance and support for at-risk learners, the proportion of adults accessing up-skilling and re-skilling opportunities through VET, the integration of new technologies in VET provision, and investment in research and development in VET.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: oecd-ilibrary.org

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