EXTENDING THE REACH OF SKILLS DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA 

COL is working with the Commonwealth Association of Polytechnics in Africa (CAPA) to expand flexible and blended delivery approaches in technical and vocational education and training (TVET). COL and CAPA have launched a number of activities aimed at alleviating poverty by increasing access to quality skills development for young people and adults.

• East Africa and Zambia TVET workshops

Thirty-six TVET institutions in The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia have taken part in workshops introducing them to flexible approaches to skills development. The workshops, held in Kenya and Zambia, also identified institutions that have the potential to either start or increase the number of people reached through open and distance learning (ODL). Training needs for TVET managers and teachers were identified, particularly related to IT and the use of technology to support in-service training programmes.

• Strategy and policy development in Zambia

A COL consultant worked with the Department of Vocational Education and Training in Zambia’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Vocational Training to develop a report analysing Zambia’s use of ODL in TVET, including recommendations for the future. TVET stakeholders subsequently came together to discuss the report in a national consultation workshop. Ministry staff will use this report to develop a national strategic framework and policy guidelines that will guide TVET institutions in their use of ODL methods.

Informal sector employment combats poverty in developing countries, especially for women. In Africa, the majority of work is in the informal economy. TVET institutions tend to focus on full time, pre-service training for young people, accepting only those with good grades at the junior or secondary certificate level. Many TVET programmes are over-subscribed; popular courses such as business and information technology (IT) can attract more than 100 applicants for each place.

Younger people with lower secondary qualifications, older out-of-work adults and women with children tend to be squeezed out. Urban dwellers access TVET more than rural people; boys more than girls; the able-bodied more than those with special needs. Resolving this inequity is a central philosophy of COL’s approach, known as Flexible Skills Development.

COL is working with TVET institutions to adopt sustainable flexible learning approaches. By working in partnership – sharing costs and available infrastructure – these institutions will be better equipped to extend the reach of TVET.

COL is currently establishing an online Community Learning Network (CLN) through which information and resources will be provided for building capacity within TVET institutions to use information and communication technology (ICT) in administration and teaching. The CLN will provide a platform for anyone in the Commonwealth who wants to learn about and discuss flexible skills development.

Individuals and organisations interested in getting involved in Flexible Skills Development are invited to contact Ms. Alison Mead Richardson, COL Education Specialist, Skills Development at ameadrichardson.