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The Working Group for International Co-operation in Vocational and Technical Skills Development was established in 1996 to enhance the capacity of its members to improve international assistance to skills development. Its third meeting was held in London during May 1997. This booklet summarises the current policy positions presented by donor agencies in regard to technical and vocational education and training (TVET) skills development assistance. In addition there is a focus on the linkages between skills development and small enterprise development. The appendices provide further information about the Working Group, the participants, and the Committee of Donor Agencies for Small Enterprise Development. Show less

DesertBiz researchers held a series of workshops on supporting livelihoods and small business in desert Australia. The key theme of the workshops was 'identifying clever ways of creating and supporting businesses and better livelihoods for desert Australia'. The aim of the workshops was to identify government programs and initiatives that work, understand why some programs worked well and others were less successful, and identify factors that are likely to make them work better. The workshops were held in Adelaide, Alice Springs, Brisbane, Canberra and Perth. The objectives were to: (1) find out about the initiatives by industry, government, companies, and organisations operating in desert regions in Australia that aim to enhance economic development and deliver livelihoods for desert residents; (2) identify the challenges that inhibit effective businesses and livelihoods of desert residents; (3) identify possible solutions to improve livelihoods for desert residents; and (4) foster networking among program providers and workshop participants. A consistent theme across all workshops was that economic sustainability in the desert is more challenging. This means expecting a better outcome for desert businesses is inappropriate. Participants identified three key elements of successful initiatives: the attitude of the participants, both service providers and customers (individuals, community, businesses and governments); the resources available; and the processes involved. Finally, research, monitoring and evaluation were identified as important. Participants said that it is critical to monitor and review programs and initiatives so they can be continually improved.

Excerpt from publication. Show less

Contents: Opening address / Stuart Hornery; Introduction to: A finger on the pulse! How do Australians perceive and value training (keynote address re marketing strategy) / Moira Scollay; A finger on the pulse! How do Australians perceive and value training / Mary Dickie; Introduction to: Multimedia - a learning revolution / Bill Mansfield; Multimedia - a learning revolution / Michael Grosser; Concurrent sessions: The latest vintage uncorked! Using a training package in the workplace; Gaining with training! Benefits for small business; Out of the box! Flexible delivery toolboxes at work; A step ahead! New Apprenticeships at school; Seminar summary / Kenneth Wiltshire. Show less

This document reports on a conference held to provide an opportunity for the exchange of innovation and good practices in vocational training between the European Union (EU) and south- and east-Mediterranean (MED) countries, in particular using results from the Leonardo da Vinci program (an EU initiative to promote projects designed to improve quality and innovation in vocational training in Europe) and other regional initiatives. The conference comprised four main sessions, each of them beginning with a presentation of the state of the art and latest developments within a particular area. The sessions focused on priority themes for both the EU and the MED countries’ training systems. These themes were as follows: (1) training and enterprises: how to ensure that training provided is attuned to the needs of enterprises, in particular of small and medium enterprises (SMEs); (2) quality in vocational education and training, quality management and quality control systems; (3) eLearning : virtual learning methods; and (4) training teachers and trainers. The report begins with a summary and context of the support provided by the EU’s MEDA program (technical and financial support measures to accompany the reform of economic and social structures in the Mediterranean partner countries) in relation to vocational training and employment. This comprises an overview of: the challenges of Euro-Mediterranean integration for the MED countries in terms of unemployment, jobs and social inclusion; the strengths and weaknesses of the reforms in progress to address those issues; and the European support provided in the context of the MEDA program in relation to vocational training and employment. Show less

This book contains papers presented at the concurrent sessions on research into a training culture at the Australian National Training Authority (ANTA) conference ‘Creating our future: a new training culture for Australia’ held in Brisbane in August 1998.

The issue examined in these papers from Australia’s leading research centres for vocational education and training (VET) is how best to develop the training culture that already exists in Australia. The papers include: Promoting a training culture in industry / Chris Robinson; Employers’ perceptions of training and the way forward / Paul Fairweather; The relevance of a training culture to small business in Australia / Jennifer Gibb; Research and a training culture: implications for large and small businesses / Rod McDonald; The elements of a training culture / Andy Smith; Individual enterprise investment in learning in a rapidly changing economy / Gerald Burke, Michael Long, Jeff Malley and Phillip McKenzie; What does research tell us about developing a training culture? / Ian Falk, Robin Sefton and Stephen Billett. Show less

This report grew out of a one-day forum organized by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) and with funding from the Department's Office of Literacy and Essential Skills (OLES). The forum brought together stakeholders from small businesses, industry and sector associations, and the learning and training communities. Based on participants' written responses and verbal comments, the authors have put together a series of core recommendations for promoting skills development within small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Recommendations include providing small businesses with a clear route into the world of skills development through relevant guidance and tools, in clear and simple language, housed in one area; helping to reduce complexity for small businesses in order to free up more time to invest in skills development; designing courses around demand linked to real challenges faced by businesses in certain sectors, and finding ways to reduce costs of implementation; and motivating employees and companies by showing them the benefits of training, and demonstrating the return on investment from developing skills. In addition, the authors have provided a skills development roadmap that includes examples of best practices for each of the recommendations. For instance, one tool that helps clarify the process of developing training programs is a checklist offered by the Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre, a federal-provincial initiative. The authors note that SMEs constitute the largest number of businesses in the economy, and any plan for improving the skills of the domestic workforce must include a focus on SMEs.

Abstract from National Adult Literacy Database website. Show less

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) make an important contribution to economic growth, employment and social development but also face challenges brought about by globalisation, technological change and the information age. In this environment, it is important that SMEs are innovative and that governments play a role in improving the environment for SMEs and entrepreneurship. The first OECD Conference on SMEs at Ministerial level held in Bologna on June 14-15, 2000 and entitled 'Enhancing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the global economy: strategies and policies', gathered representatives from government, business, unions and civil society in 52 countries to share experiences and insights from business and SMEs. The Conference was preceded by a Business Symposium on 13 June. Discussion at both the Symposium and the Conference was centred around four common themes: (1) enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs through innovation; (2) local partnerships, clusters and SME globalisation; (3) realising the potential of electronic commerce for SMEs in the global economy; and (4) enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs in transition and developing countries in the global economy and their partnerships with SMEs in OECD countries. The Conference culminated in the adoption of the 'Bologna Charter for SME policies' by 50 participating OECD and non-OECD countries which proposed innovative policy and practical initiatives for improving the business environment for SMEs. This report on the Conference contains: Part I - 'Overview' which outlines the objectives and themes of the Conference and presents the key messages from Ministers and senior policy makers; Part II - 'Selected keynote speeches' which contains speeches from the Business Symposium and the Conference. The 'Business Symposium keynotes' are: Bologna: a unique opportunity for dialogue / Herwig Schlogl; Social responsibility in a globalising world / Roland Schneider; The speed of changes calls for rapid adjustments by firms / Douglas C. Worth; Private-public dialogue: the path to relevant policies / Thomas Andersson; Learning from best practices: the importance of evaluation / Albertino Santana. The 'Conference keynotes' are: Promoting balanced development / Giuliano Amato; The role of the OECD in fostering entrepreneurship and growth / Donald Johnston; SMEs at the centre of economic democracy / Enrico Letta; A dynamic public sector for a changing environment / Aida Alvarez; Part III - 'Themes and discussion' which contains the reports of the workshops on each of the four themes. Each report contains an issues paper prepared for the Business Symposium roundtable, a summary of the roundtable, a background paper prepared for the workshop, and a workshop summary; Part IV - 'The Bologna Charter on SME policies' which reproduces the Charter adopted on 15 June 2000 in both French and English; and 'Annex' which outlines the Conference program.

Background papers are indexed from TD/TNC 69.469 to TD/TNC 69.472. Show less

The Interlaken Conference was jointly convened by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Working Group for International Cooperation in Skills Development. It had three objectives: (1) to pursue a common basis for the clarification of skills and knowledge needs and demand in the informal sector and in small enterprises; (2) to identify good practices and weaknesses in skills development in response to these skills and knowledge needs; and (3) to strengthen cooperation and networking in skills development among developing, transition and developed countries. The delegates took part in five working groups to discuss the following themes: (a) context and regulatory framework for skills development; (b) linking (post) basic education and training: a way to fulfil the needs of youth and adults for generic and vocational skills?; (c) costs and financing of skills development; (d) what skills are needed to ensure survival and growth of enterprises?; and (e) what is the role of international co-operation in skills development? The outcomes were developed into the Interlaken Declaration which identifies the skills development needs of the informal sector and small enterprises and proposes key policy conclusions for the key stakeholders involved. This conference report provides documentation in English, French and Spanish and is presented in five sections: Overview; Background; Working groups: Issue papers, key inputs, group reports; Interlaken Declaration; and Annexes. The major English language documents are: Overview / Richard Gerster; Background paper: the changing worlds of work and learning; Effects of globalization on the world of work in the informal sector and small enterprises in developing and transition countries / Lucita S. Lazo; Informal economy: safety valve or growth opportunity? / Tara Vishwanath; Needs and wants of the informal sector and of small firms in terms of vocational skills and knowledge as seen in a developing country in Africa / Mamounata Cisse; Needs and demand in the informal sector and small enterprises for skills and knowledge: a transition country perspective / Aldis Baumanis; Skills development: some policy issues in the informal sector / Enrique Pieck; View of institutional frameworks, modalities and delivery mechanisms for informal sector / Eugene Ryazanov; Training the poor when there are not enough jobs / Claudio de Moura Castro; Swisscontact and dual apprenticeship in Mali and Burkina Faso / Gerard Barthelemy; Will the Lebanese adaptability be able to go through the globalization? / Mayla Bakhache; Formal and non-formal delivery of training for rural producers in Madagascar / Delphin Randriamiharisoa; Co-operation (or lack thereof) in Southern Africa / Marianne Nganunu; Learning in the knowledge workplace: large firms versus small enterprises / Kai-Ming Cheng and Hayley Kan; Vocational training programmes and disadvantaged youth in Latin America: how to provide generic and vocational skills? / Claudia Jacinto; Case study on costs and financing of SKILL, a mobile training program in Nepal / Bansi Rana Magar; Forms of financing professional training in Ecuador / Gary Flor Garcia; Overview on experiences and options in financing skills development / David Atchoarena; What skills are needed to ensure survival and growth of enterprises?: the dimensions of poverty, gender and youth / Amelita King Dejardin; Institutional implications in the knowledge-skills linkages within the people’s economy: the Bangladesh perspective / Muhammad Ibrahim; The youth challenge and skills development in Namibia: choice and opportunity / Nahas Angula; Innovation and micro and small enterprise development in developing countries: linking knowledge and skills to produce employment: working group 5: what is the role of international cooperation? / Meine Pieter van Dijk; Institutional implications and delivery mechanisms: the case of South Africa / Hakim Malagas-Ntsika; Technical and vocational education and training in developing countries: consequences for development co-operation in northern agencies / Manfred Wallenborn. A number of other presentations not included in the report are available on the CD-ROM. Show less

This volume is a supplement to the proceedings of the Second Conference on HRD Research and Practice in Europe 2001. The papers are grouped under the following themes: Learning at the workplace; Management development; Learning in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs); Work communities/reflective practice. 'Learning in the workplace' contains: Informal strategic learning in the workplace / V. Marsick; Improving learning and performance: theory and methods / D. Russ-Eft; Accessing learning in the workplace: a quantitative study of factors affecting learner acceptance of a computer-based training (CBT) support tool / D. D. Flannery, D. G. Wagner & A. D. Ellinger; Learning at the workplace reviewed: theory confronted with empirical research / R. Poell & F. van der Krogt; Learning in the workplace: new theory and practice in teacher education / S. Bolhuis; Forum for organisational learning: combining learning at work, organisational change and training in new ways / P. R. J. Simons, J. Germans & M. P. C. Ruijters; Work-based learning: some perspectives from Australia & the UK / E. Sadler-Smith & P. J. Smith; Organizing learning projects whilst improving work: strategies of employees, managers and HRD professionals / R. F. Poell. 'Management development' contains: Strategic type, HRM and management development in Scottish firms / I. Henderson; Developing the strategic transfer of modern human resources management skills at the University of Pecs / C. Halmos, B. Krisztian & Z. Nemeskeri. 'Learning in SMEs' contains: An examination of HRD in response to strategic learning needs in SMEs / I. Wognum & K. Bartlett; SME network learning / T. Smits, I. Wognum & J. Pye. 'Work communities/reflective practice' contains: Work communities in police organisations studied as rising activity systems / M. de Laat, S. Akkerman & A. Puonti; On-line knowledge communities as a means of learning at the workplace / H. Lansink & S. de Vries; The role of reflective practice interviews in continuing professional development / G. Chivers.

Volumes of papers are indexed at TD/TNC 73.593 and TD/TNC 73.594. Show less

The fourth BIBB Congress was held between 23-25 October, 2002 under the title 'Vocational training for a global society: perspectives in the 21st century'. This offprint of BWP (Berufsbildung in Wissenschaft un Praxis = Vocational training in research and practice] presents the central theories and problems discussed in each of the 11 forums that was organised as part of the Congress. The forums are: The changing world of work in transformation and the consequences for vocational training; Internationalisation of vocational training: experience and strategies; Lifelong learning: the importance of on-the-job learning for skills development; 'E-learning': claim and reality; The future of examinations: radical changes in the examination system have just begun; Industrial and technical occupations in transformation: new profiles and principles; Innovative approaches in commercial and media occupations; Person-related services at the interface of the market, state and society; Disadvantage in the education society: perspectives for occupational promotion; Demand-driven services for small and medium enterprises: The Leitmotif of the Inter-company Training Centre as Centre of Excellence; Advancement at work and professional careers through continuing training. Show less