Context: Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar lag behind the other member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in terms of human resource development. There are no established WBL structures and practices in place as part of the formal system of technical, vocational education and training (TVET). Therefore, Switzerland decided to support the three mentioned countries in strengthening their technical vocational and education systems with a focus on work-based learning in companies.
Objective: ASTI aims at achieving that unemployed young women and men, especially those with limited education and early school leavers as well as low skilled workers, are equipped with relevant skills that enable better employability and integration into the formal TVET system.
Approach
Work-based learning is defined as short courses helping existing or potential new workers to become fit for the envisaged occupation, equipping them with necessary skills that enable them to increase their performance, adapt faster to changes at work and to increase their career opportunities through further education and training. Through the adoption of an employer-centred approach, courses will be delivered with the majority of time (75-80%) spent at the workplace.
Services:
Strengthen collaboration between Switzerland and ASEAN to promote exchange and best practices on WBL, and enhance coordination among regulatory authorities and industry representatives.
Integrate WBL into national TVET systems.
Establish National Occupational Skills Standards and curricula for the implementation of WBL.
Select industry representatives to take a leading role in WBL.
Results:
Some 3,000 youth (1,200 unemployed youth and 1,800 low-skilled workers) shall directly benefit from the project. In addition, ASTI shall reach up to 6,000 other low-skilled workers who shall be positively influenced by the establishment of a WBL system in the three target countries. 200 trainers, teachers and assessors will have improved their capacity on WBL.