Synthesis Workshop on School-to-Work Transition Information Bases

© Keiko Inoue

UNESCO Bangkok, in collaboration with the UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, recently conducted the Synthesis Workshop on School-to-Work Transition Information Bases and the Role of the UNEVOC Network. The event was held at the Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand on 23 to 26 August 2011 and brought together national experts from Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Lao PDR, Mongolia, the Philippines and Viet Nam as well as officials and representatives from UNEVOC Centres, the Thai Office of the Vocational Education Commission (OVEC), the Colombo Plan Staff College for Technician Education (CPSC), UNESCO Field Offices in the Asia-Pacific, the United Nations Girls’ Education Initiative (UNGEI), UNESCO Bangkok and UNEVOC Bonn. 

The objective of the workshop was two-fold. The Expert Meeting on the first two days synthesised the progress of the ongoing UNESCO policy research on school-to-work transition bases in the Asia-Pacific. Meanwhile, the UNEVOC Network Meeting that took place during the third and fourth days of the workshop sought to explore ways to strengthen the cooperation among UNEVOC Centres in the region, help Centre representatives develop a comprehensive understanding of the main findings of the school-to-work study and contribute in proposing more effective ways of implementing relevant TVET policies. It should be noted that the two back-to-back meetings were in no way distinct and discrete events as the proceedings and outcomes of the Expert Meeting guided the direction of the UNEVOC Network Meeting and helped determine how UNEVOC Centres can play a more active role in furthering school-to-work initiatives in the region.

On Day 1, national experts discussed the findings gleaned from their respective country studies. The experts gave presentations on the current situations and practices in their countries in regards to skills needs monitoring, assessing labour market performance and employer engagement. Subsequently, the national experts proceeded to put forward some policy recommendations based on the findings obtained from their research. An international consultant, Professor Young Min Lee of South Korea, consolidated the country reports and presented an initial mapping of results. Mr. Adrien Boucher of UNESCO Bangkok/UNGEI also delivered a presentation on the UNGEI study on the gender dimension of the school-to-work transition process in selected Asia-Pacific countries, including Indonesia, the Philippines and Viet Nam. 

Following these presentations, breakout and plenary sessions were held to brainstorm and elaborate on the policy recommendations proposed by the national experts and to formulate concrete next steps for further action by national governments, UNESCO, international organizations and development partners. Elected group rapporteurs reported back to the plenary the priority issues they identified and the strategies they formulated to draw the attention of policy makers to the school-to-work agenda and enhance the capacity of all stakeholders involved. 

On Day 3, Mr. Teeluck Bhuwanee, Head of UNEVOC Networks, gave a talk on the UNEVOC Bonn International Centre and its mandate, vision and activities. This was followed by a plenary session on the roles and responsibilities of national UNEVOC Centres as members of the global UNEVOC Network. Representatives from UNEVOC Centres also made brief presentations on their past and current activities and together with UNESCO Bangkok, UNESCO Field Offices and UNEVOC Bonn, jointly discussed and reviewed the Network Strategy to revitalise the UNEVOC Network.

On Day 4, representatives from UNESCO Bangkok and Field Offices in Beijing, Jakarta and New Delhi explained their respective UNESCO-supported TVET activities. A plenary session was conducted on how to foster better synergies between and among the Regional Bureau, Field Offices, UNEVOC Bonn and national UNEVOC Centres and how to chart the way forward for UNEVOC Centres, especially with reference to the school-to-work initiative. To conclude the Network Meeting, all Centres mutually decided on the next steps for UNEVOC Centres in relation to school-to-work activities as well as other thematic areas. One of the major commitments reached included the submission of each Centre to UNEVOC Bonn by September 2011 a list of selected priority areas and activities that they can support and develop in cooperation with UNESCO Bangkok and Field Offices.

For more information, please contact Mr. Youngsup Choi (ys.choi(at)unesco.org) or Ms. Mary Anne Therese Manuson (m.manuson(at)unesco.org).

Workshop Materials:

All presentations, workshop papers and other relevant documents can be dowloaded here.