The potential of skills development and recognition for regulated labour mobility in the IGAD Region: a scoping study covering Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda

Qualifications operate as a form of currency and facilitate trade in skills in the labour markets. Lack of trusted third-party information about their skills often forces jobseekers to engage in the labour market at a huge disadvantage. This is particularly true for migrants - and even more so for refugees - who are often at a severe disadvantage when it comes to their ability to provide evidence of their qualification. In this context, recognition systems play an important part in generating information about people's skills that enables them to participate in the labour market in ways...  [+] Show more

Qualifications operate as a form of currency and facilitate trade in skills in the labour markets. Lack of trusted third-party information about their skills often forces jobseekers to engage in the labour market at a huge disadvantage. This is particularly true for migrants - and even more so for refugees - who are often at a severe disadvantage when it comes to their ability to provide evidence of their qualification. In this context, recognition systems play an important part in generating information about people's skills that enables them to participate in the labour market in ways that allow them to be equitably rewarded for the skills they possess and contribute to the development of the country.

Drawing on substantial work of the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and other actors in this area, this report examines potential role of skills development and skills recognition for supporting and extending the impact of a regional system of regulated labour mobility within and between IGAD Member States. It contains seven country chapters, which include a brief overview of the geographical and political factors that have a direct influence on each country's ability to provide skills development opportunities, not only to its own citizens, but also migrants and refugees, particularly through Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET). It also provides an overview of the systems and processes in place to develop and recognize the skills of citizens and non-citizens and an overview of the skills dimensions of national labour markets.

Edited excerpts from publication.