ILO and UNICEF launch new Work-Based Learning package
The package aims to harmonize approaches to work-based learning in the country and provide Lebanon’s workers with the skills that the economy demands
With the objective of improving quality of TVET in the country, increasing employment and boosting the economy, ILO and UNICEF have launched the Work-Based Learning (WBL) in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Implementation Manual for Practitioners in Lebanon and Arab Countries.
The TVET system in Lebanon faces many challenges, including skills mismatches, with the current school-based training not able to meet the current and future requirements of the employers. In light of the compounded crisis Lebanon now faces, investing in skills development programmes relevant to market needs and private sector which also combine training with employment and income generating opportunities, are vital to enhance the employability of youth, increase chances of employment and ultimately contribute to poverty reduction.
The WBL Implementation Manual provides guidance to practitioners – TVET administrators, coordinators, and instructors, as well as for master craft persons – engaged in WBL programmes. It gives a step-by-step overview on planning, developing, organizing, and delivering WBL programmes. The manual also presents global practices as well as user-friendly instruments and tools on apprenticeships and work-based learning that can be used by practitioners to deliver quality assured WBL programmes. The basis of the WBL manual derives from the experiences of governmental and nongovernmental organizations that piloted WBL programmes in agriculture and construction sectors in Lebanon from 2019 to 2021, with support from the ILO, UNICEF, and FAO; reaching more than 1,750 practitioners and frontliners.
“This Manual aims to harmonize approaches to WBL in the country and provide Lebanon’s workers with the skills that the economy demands”
“This Manual aims to harmonize approaches to WBL in the country and provide Lebanon’s workers with the skills that the economy demands, so that both workers and enterprises can look forward to a better future of work,” said Peter Rademaker, ILO Deputy Regional Director for Arab States. “In the long-term, we aim to support the government in formulating a national strategy and policy framework that promotes the WBL in Lebanon in collaboration with the social partners, and other relevant stakeholders for an efficient quality and relevant skills system,” he added.
“This Work-based learning manual will help to provide, on the one hand, young people in Lebanon with the highly needed skills to smoothly transition into the world of work, while also fostering economic competitiveness and social inclusion”
“Many young people we have surveyed believe their only chance for a better life lies beyond Lebanon’s borders,” said Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF representative in Lebanon. “This Work-based learning manual will help to provide, on the one hand, young people in Lebanon with the highly needed skills to smoothly transition into the world of work, while also fostering economic competitiveness and social inclusion. In addition, this new guidance will facilitate their economic engagement and empowerment in the country to improve their prospects and hope for a better future in Lebanon.”
The manual was developed in collaboration with ITC-ILO within the framework of the ILO-UNICEF joint programme “Towards improved formal and non-formal technical and vocational education and training in Lebanon” (2017-2022) which aims to enhance the TVET system in the country with the view to ensure a fair and successful transition of youth into the labour market.
