Over the past 10 years, the developing world has experienced a growth in the provision of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and skills programs. In part, this growth is due to increased investments in skills development and TVET by governments and donors who view it as a solution for the many complex socio-economic problems that face developing countries.
The challenges facing planners in the developing world is how best to respond to immediate needs for skills in existing and new industries as well as how to develop national capacity to migrate to higher-end skills industries. CEI has developed expertise in helping countries move towards responsive and sustainable skills development systems. Initially CEI gained an international reputation through writing research papers and influencing debates amongst donors and governments about ways forward for TVET. CEI staff have also worked with different governments across Africa and Asia to develop national policy frameworks for TVET, and strategies for implementation.
Besides the strategic level work, we have extensive expertise in more operational and management issues, including work with TVET institutions to develop performance management plans and putting in place of HRD systems.
Staff at CEI have also work extensively with donors in this field and helped them to identify approaches that are more responsive and sustainable to local needs, considering issues of gender and social exclusion.
More specifically CEI has supported the development of skill standards, learning materials assessment tools, qualification frameworks and quality assurance systems across Southern Africa and Southeast Asia. Our work has also involved the setting-up of sector skills councils, the design and implementation of train- the-trainer strategies, as well as support for learning resource centres and career guidance.
CEI has also been instrumental in facilitating reforms to funding mechanisms in a number of countries across Southern Africa and South Asia, including levy grant systems and more sustainable funding arrangement for involving the private sector. When undertaking reforms in TVET CEI staff are careful to ensure they are suited to local needs, considering gender and social inclusion.
