Skills for Industry: The contribution of vocational skills development to inclusive industrial growth and transformation
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Content of this page
Profile
- Project leadership
- Markus Maurer (PHZH)
- Project team
- Séverine Chuffart Balmer (PHZH), Andréa Kreuzer (PHZH, former employee), Hannes Teutoburg-Weiss, Hadush Berhe, Philipp Gonon , Stephanie Matseleng Allais, Mariam Erum, Bounseng Khammounty, Pech Sokhem, Do Van Dung
- Organisational unit
- F-BW (Bildungswissenschaftliche Forschung)
- Project phase
- Completed (1.8.2017 – 31.12.2023)
- Project type
- Research & development project
- Funding
- Swiss National Science Foundation
- Participating institutions
- Institute of Education, University of Zurich; Vocational Education Development Institute, Laos; University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg; BRAC Institute of Educational Development, Bangladesh; Ethiopian Institute of Technology, Mekelle University; Cambodia Development Resource Institute; Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education
Description
The “Skills for Industry” research project was carried out by research institutions from seven countries under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Markus Maurer from the Zurich University of Teacher Education. Between 2017 and 2023, around 50 scientific articles, policy briefs and videos were produced as part of this project. Nine doctoral students have successfully completed or are about to complete their research. The project was funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Swiss National Science Foundation as part of its Swiss Research Program on Global Development Issues (r4d.ch).
Project outcomes
The results of the study make it clear that vocational education and training at intermediate and higher levels is crucial for driving industrial transformation and technological progress. It makes a significant contribution to overcoming the associated shortage of skilled workers. The analyses show that formal vocational training programs often struggle to adapt quickly enough to industrial changes. In contrast, non-formal and in-company training programs offer practice-oriented, flexible further training that addresses the specific needs of industry. Another key finding is that effective vocational training initiatives require a clear strategic direction and the involvement of all relevant stakeholders.
Vocational training at higher levels is crucial for inclusive industry growth
Higher skill levels in vocational training are essential to promote industrial transformation and technological progress. Our research shows that companies find training at all levels useful, partly because it helps to improve the adaptability of the workforce to technological and organizational change. However, the higher skill levels are key because they enable companies to effectively manage acute skill shortages. This supports growth processes that can lead to wage growth at all skill levels. However, relative income distribution varies by country and industry, with different impacts on inclusivity.
Importance of non-formal vocational training for transformation
Non-formal and in-company training programmes, i.e. training without state-recognized qualifications, were considered particularly valuable because they are tailored to the specific needs of the industry. These more flexible programs promote a more effective strategy for upskilling employees. They enable employees to adapt more quickly to new technologies and methods. This contributes significantly to increasing the overall productivity of companies. The results show that companies that recognize the value of vocational training tend to use various forms of training programs, while companies that invest little in training tend to use neither formal nor non-formal training measures.
Strategic alignment and stakeholder engagement are key to success
Effective vocational training initiatives require a clear strategic direction and the involvement of all relevant stakeholders, including industry, educational institutions and policy makers, to align offerings with real industry needs. Research findings show that the success of such initiatives depends significantly on the active involvement of industry in the design and implementation of the programs. By cooperating with companies, education providers ensure that their courses teach relevant skills. The strategic integration of government agencies and private stakeholders also promotes a comprehensive and sustainable development of the vocational training landscape that meets economic and social needs.
Journal articles
Dang, V. H. and T. T. Nguyen (2024) The impact of formal and non-formal training programs in Vietnam’s manufacturing sector.
TVET@sia, issue 22.
Khammounty, B., M. Maurer and S. Khamsang (2024) Enhancing industry experience of TVET teachers: An analysis of the case of Lao PDR with a focus on teachers catering to the garments, food processing and electronics industries.
TVET@sia, issue 22
Khounvilay, K., S. Meunmany, B. Khammounty and M. Morlok (2024) The impact of TVET on growth and transformation in the manufacturing industries in Lao PDR.
TVET@sia, issue 22.
Maurer, M., S. S. Shimu and N. Veung (2024) The emergence of training programmes for the garment industry: Analysing the cases of Bangladesh, Cambodia and Sri Lanka from a historical-institutionalist perspective.
International Journal of Training and Development.
Maurer, M., F. A. Haolader and S. S. Shimu (2023) VET for all: Assessing the case of Bangladesh.
International Journal of Educational Development, 101.
Shimu, S. S. (2024) Skill formation of female workers in the garment industry: The case of Bangladesh.
TVET@sia, issue 22.
Sibiya, A.T. (2023) The contribution of Technical and Vocational Education and Training formal programmes to inclusive company growth and transformation: a case study of the automotive manufacturing sector in South Africa.
Journal of Vocational Education & Training, 75:5, 1091.
Veung, N. (2024) Collaboration in the Cambodian TVET sector: Why does it matter?
TVET@sia, issue 22.
Dang, V. H. and T. T. Nguyen (2023) Designing a model of strategic partnership between the vocational skills development system and industry: case study in Vietnam.
TVET@sia, issue 21.
Allais, Stephanie (2023) Structural Similarities of Formal Vocational Education Systems in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.
Ing, Kvanthai (2022) The Factors Improving Skill Development and Skill Formation Systems in Industries: Firm-Level Analysis of Cambodia’s Manufacturing Industry.
Maurer, Markus and Mohammad Mahboob Morshed (2022) Promoting the recognition of prior learning in the context of development cooperation: The case of Bangladesh.
Morlok, Michael; Hannes Teutoburg-Weiss, Keonakhone Khounvilay, Luyen Huu Nguyen and Seyhah Ven (2022) Achieving inclusive growth? Wage dynamics in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.
Allais, Stephanie; Volker Schoer, Carmel Marock, Victor Kgalema, Nduvho Ramulongo and Tolika Sibiya (2021) Rethinking “supply and demand” of technical and vocational education and training: Insights from a company survey in three manufacturing sectors in South Africa.
Kalam, Md Abdul and Shahana Shimu Sheikh (2020) Perceived roles of skills in growth and transformation of Ready Made Garments and Pharmaceutical industries in Bangladesh: Results from an industry survey.
Allais, Stephanie (2020) Skills for industrialisation in sub-Saharan African countries: why is systemic reform of technical and vocational systems so persistently unsuccessful?
Working papers
- Allais Stephanie, Marock Carmel. “What Problem Should Skills Solve? Interrogating Theories of Change Underpinning Strategies and interventions in Vocational Education and Skills in LMICs”. RISE Working Paper 23/136
- Mehrotra Santosh, Allais Stephanie, Schoer Volker, Parida Jajati Keshari (April 2022). “Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through Industrialization while Realizing the Demographic Dividend”. A Synthesis of R4D Studies
- Veung, Naron & Ven, Seyhah (2021). “Exploring insights into vocational skills development and industrial transformation in Cambodia”. Publication on the CDRI Website
- Veung, Naron (2021). “Cambodia’s manufacturing industries: Skills formation systems in the workplace”. Publication on the CDRI Website
- Ven, Seyhah & Veung, Naron (2020). “The contribution of vocational skills development to Cambodia’s economy”. Publication on the CDRI Website
Policy briefs
- Benghong Siela, B., & Veung, N. (2023). Connecting the dots in TVET in Cambodia: Stakeholders and their collaboration. Zenodo. doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10254289
- Shimu, S. S. (2023). Skill formation of female workers in the garment industry: The case of Bangladesh. Zenodo. doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10255711
- Maurer, M. (2024). Vocational skills development as part of Swiss development policy: How useful is the current approach? Zenodo. doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13341177
- Dang, V.H., Nguyen, T.T., & Nguyen, L.H. (2024). The contribution of formal and non-formal training programs in Vietnam’s manufacturing sector. Zenodo. doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11617751
- Berhe, H.A., Atsbha, M.W., & Gebru, G.W. (2024). The value of VSD training in the context of product and technology change: Voices from Ethiopian manufacturing industries. Zenodo. doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11393507
- Khounvilay, K., Khammounty, B., & Meunmany, S. (2024). The impact of TVET on growth and transformation in the manufacturing industries in Laos PDR. doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11393549
- Allais, Stephanie, Kgalema, Victor, Marock, Carmel, Schoer, Volker, Sibiya, Tolika, & Ramulongo, Nduvho (2020). Embedding TVET in industrial strategies: Implications for the PSET strategy. doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3562001
- Berhe, Hadush, Atsebeha, Mezgebe, Gebru, Gebretsadik, & Gebresas, Alula. (2020). Skills Needs in Ethiopia: Insights from three industries. doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.356200
- Dang, Vi Hoang, Nguyen, Huu Luyen & Nguyen, Thuy Thanh (2019). Vietnam’s Skilled Workforce Shortage. doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3514696
- Dang, Vi Hoang, Nguyen, Thuy Thanh, Nguyen, Luyen Huu & Hoang, Vinh Ngoc (2021). Skills development and industrial transformation in Vietnam: The relationship between the TVET system and industry. doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5004990
- Khammounty, Bounseng, Phrakhonkham, Sengprasong, Khounvilay, Keonakhone & Meunmany, Santiphap (2021). Improving food processing labor skills in Laos through Cooperative Training (CT). doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5004973
- Maurer, Markus, Morlok, Michael, Khammounty, Bounseng & Teutoburg-Weiss, Hannes (2019). Boosting Growth and Transformation in Laos’ Industry. doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.2643302
- Sheikh, Shahana Shimu (2019). Growth of Bangladesh’s Pharma Industry: Some implications. doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3562001
- Sheikh, Shahana Shimu (2021). Relationships between VSD programs and industrial transformation in Bangladesh. doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5005054
- Veung, Naron & Ven, Seyhah (2019). Skills and Transformation in Cambodia’s Industry. doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3355183
- Veung, Naron & Ven, Seyhah (2021). Attitudes towards vocational skills development in Cambodia’s manufacturing industries. doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5004905
Videos
- Strengthening skills training in Bangladesh (2021)
- Vocational skills development and the growth of manufacturing industries in Vietnam (2021)
- How can we boost growth and transformation in Laos’ manufacturing industry? (2020)
Other
- International Conference on Skills for a Just Transition. Hosted by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Centre for Researching Education and Labour (REAL) Centre, University of Witwatersrand in conjunction with the Zurich University of Teacher Education, the South African Presidency (PMO/PYEI) and Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition. 11–12 May 2023.
- Veung Naron. (2022). Cambodia’s bid for industrial power needs a stronger workforce. Devex. Online
- Veung, N., & Ly, M. (2023). Industrial transformation and skill needs: Implications for future skill development. Celebrating Collaborative Alliances: Stronger Together, 87–94.
- Conference – International Cooperation Forum Switzerland, Input by Prof. Dr. Stephanie Allais at the “Working session 3” on “Future-Oriented Skills Meet Development”, Geneva, Switzerland (February 2023). Youtube Video
- r4d.ch Regional Science Fair South-east Asia, “The Factors Improving Skill Development and Skill Formation Systems in Industries: Firm Level Analysis of Cambodia’s Manufacturing Industry”, Luang Prabang, Laos (March 2023). Facebook Page
- Site visit at Lyly Food Industry Co., Phnom Penh, Cambodia (September 2023). LyLy Food Industry Co. LTD: Facebook Page
- Site visit at CGTI (Cambodian Garment Training Institute), Phnom Penh, Cambodia (September 2022). CGTI Facebook Page
- Stakeholder meeting at the Cambodia-Korea Cooperation Center (CKCC), Phnom Penh, Cambodia (September 2022). BTV Facebook Page
- Maurer, Markus & Marks Andrea, “Insights from the Skills for Industry Project”, presentation at the Online-Forschungskolloquium, held virtually at the PH Zurich on 15 December 2021. PHZH_Kolloquium
- Maurer, Markus & Marks, Andrea (2021). Is education on the job enough? (Is on-the-job training enough?). Schweizerische Gesellschaft für angewandte Berufsbildungsforschung (SGAB)
- R4D Conference, “Job Creation and Conditions for a Social and Environmental Impact”, Lausanne, Switzerland (Oktober 2021). R4D Conference Website
- Maurer, Markus and Teutoburg-Weiss, Hannes (2020). First results from the “Skills for Industry” project. Schweizerischer Dokumentenserver Bildung (edudoc.ch)