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Skills Development During a Pandemic: Challenges and Opportunities

June 16, 2020

Virtual | 9:00 - 10:30AM EDT

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Skills development programs have been greatly affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The challenges faced by formal TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) and short-term skills training for out-of-school youth and current workers are unprecedented. The application of solutions such as learning from home differs substantially across countries and population groups, depending on access to electricity, internet connectivity, devices or media, learning platforms, and the preparedness of instructors and learners for remote education. Compared to other parts of the education system, the focus on practical skills and work readiness creates particular challenges for remote learning, since it generally is a weak substitute for practical activities and learning-by-doing, which constitutes a substantial part of TVET and other skills training programs. Still, plenty of opportunities exist especially for programs with a strong emphasis on academic subjects and which have practical activities that are already computer-based. Skills development programs can help mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, either in the immediate coping phase or when economies start to recover. 

  • This webinar will bring together different stakeholders to present and discuss ongoing initiatives that are supporting skills development during the pandemic.

    Hear from Generation, founded by McKinsey & Company, about its collaboration with medical, academic, and other partners to create online courses to train healthcare workers in how to treat and care for COVID-19 patients.

    Commonwealth of Learning will share background on the International Partnership of Distance and Online Learning for COVID-19 it launched to offer access to pooled resources, shared expertise, and online training in the area of open and distance learning. 

    Prior to COVID-19, the Edo State Government in Nigeria was preparing a digital skills project to tackle youth unemployment. In response to the COVID-19 crisis, they are redesigning the project to launch online training, design gender-specific online programs, strengthen industry linkage for online work, and increase co-working spaces to address increased unemployment.

  • Speakers

    Dr. Mona Mourshed

    President and founding CEO

    Generation: You Employed

    Prof. Asha Singh Kanwar

    President and CEO

    Commonwealth of Learning

    Ukinebo Dare

    Managing Director

    Edo State Skills Development Agency

    Omas Arias

    Practice Manager

    Education Global Practice, World Bank Group

    Ian Walker

    Practice Manager

    Jobs Group, World Bank Group