Education and Labour Market

In many transition countries, governments have been undertaking efforts to reform the vocational education and training system oriented to recognised international standards. The major challenges of reform strategies are found in the lack of practical focus of training. In order to enhance qualifications and employability, young people and adult trainees need to be prepared to the reality and dynamics of the world of work.

Thus, the education system will have to find the acceptance and confidence of employers, especially when it comes to standards of school infrastructure, staff capacities, the training offer, learning outcomes and qualifications. Therefore, close collaboration of education is needed among local employment offices, employers and trade unions / other social partners in order to assume joint responsibility for the challenges of employment promotion.

Furthermore, strengthening sustainable employment requires close co-ordination of education with active labour market policies and measures to support income generation. Baseline surveys and labour market skills analyses need to take into account gender aspects, vulnerable groups and age – aiming at improving access of all social groups to education and employment opportunities.

Technical assistance shall be targeting at efficient collaboration among institutions involved directly or indirectly in education and employment. This needs capacity building and training in order to develop the competencies of institutions to contribute jointly to the practice oriented training provision. PEM is committed to facilitate cooperation, coordination and communication among all stakeholders in the education system, the labour market and donor institutions.