Skills for social inclusion

Improving the labour market prospects and quality of work for those disadvantaged in the labour market is a key focus of the ILO’s research and capacity building agenda. Concerted and focused efforts are needed to improve outreach, quality and relevance of education and training, and improve the links to the world of work. Given the heterogeneity of disadvantaged groups, such as women, youth, persons with disabilities, workers in rural areas or in the informal economy, migrants or refugees, education and training systems and programmes need to: 
 

• overcome the range of existing barriers through carefully designed policy intervention;
• respond flexibly to different needs, and;
• address questions of status and challenge social perceptions.

Moreover, targeted initiatives to address challenges faced by particular groups should complement efforts to build inclusive TVET systems. Active labour market programmes (ALMPs) that offer a package of support services including remedial education, core skills, vocational and job readiness training, work experience, awareness of labour rights and occupational safety and health, job-search assistance, career guidance and counselling are more likely to enhance employability and facilitate transitions to decent work.

• Skills for rural employment
• Skills for migrant workers
• Skills for transitions to formality
• Skills for gender equality
• Skills for persons with disabilities
• Skills to combat forced labour
• Skills for youth employment
• Core employability skills
• Skills in Fragile Settings