CVA's PICKS OF THE MONTH

India. Vocational Education under National Skill Qualification Framework in Jammu & Kashmir State of India: Changing Face of Education
There is huge demand for technical and vocational education and training facilities for preparing skilled human resource. In view of this demand the Govt. of India launched National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) in the state which is based on the philosophy of integration of vocational education in general education at secondary and senior secondary stages for developing employable skills in students.
A contribution of Dr. Ravinder K. Jangral ravinder_jangral@rediffmail.com Website: www.rmsa.jk.gov.in,
Tags : India; NQF - National Qualifications Frameworks; Paper; Qualifications framework; Source: Dr Ravinder K. Jangral; VET - vocational education and training;

Australia. Teacher professional development under the impact of internationalization in VET
Australian VET teachers are facing significant professional challenges to engage with pedagogical issues in teaching international students. However, there has been a lack of research on how teachers are equipped to effectively cater for international students and respond to the demands of internationalization in VET through professional development. The findings suggest the need to systemically and explicitly support substantive professional learning with regard to approaches to engaging and teaching international students.
Tags : Australia; International students; Paper; Source: VOCEDplus; Students - international; Teachers - VET; VET - teachers;

China. What does it mean to be vocational teachers in China: results from a survey among Chinese vocational teachers
Teachers' performance has a significant impact on the quality of education. Until now little empirical researches have been done concerning the vocational identity and professional development of vocational school teachers in China. The paper finds out that the majority of Chinese vocational teachers do not choose their profession because of their intrinsic interests in teaching but for the sake of stability and long holidays; their career chances are to a certain degree constrained by institutional factors such as the professional title system which is regarded by many teachers to be outdated and unfair; they face various challenges and difficulties in their daily work found their income not proportional to their work loads.
Tags : China; Paper 2016; Source: VOCEDplus; Teachers - VET; VET - teachers;

Malta. Vocational Education and Training in Malta – its past, its present and its future
It is likely that by placing VET subjects alongside other subjects of the school curriculum, VET will no longer be associated with students who did perform well academically. The provision of VET subjects at secondary school level, are likely to lead a positive transformation that will have a lasting impact both on today’s students and on the generations to come.
Tags : Article; History - VET; Malta; Source: Damian Spiteri; VET - history; VET - vocational education and training;

Africa. Tapping into the power of technical education
African technical universities can help to add value to primary commodities and other natural resources, support economic transformation, provide technology solutions to small and medium enterprises, and contribute to wealth creation as part of enhancing technical and vocational education and training, or TVET, on the continent.
Tags : Africa; Source: University World News; Universities; VET - vocational education and training;

Lifelong learning is becoming an economic imperative
Technological change demands stronger and more continuous connections between education and employment. The faint outlines of such a system are now emerging.
Tags : Article 2017; Continuing education; Education - continuing; Source: The Economist;

Systemic Modelling for Relating Labour Market to Vocational Education
The present study introduces a systemic model that demonstrates a description of the relationship between the labour-market and vocational education from the perspective of systemic theory. Based on the application of the relevant methodology, the two open social systems are identified and analyzed. Their key-features are presented and the points of contact are examined and linked, with the purpose to define more efficient manners of interrelation. This study has been conducted using information from the equivalent systems of Greece, as an example, and proposes this systemic method for further research in other countries as well.
Tags : Labour market; Paper 2016; Source: International Journal for Research in Vocational Education and Training; Systemic model; VET - vocational education and training;

New technologies: A jobless future or golden age of job creation?
This paper explains the dynamics of job destruction and job creation in the context of technological change. It explores the role of economic, social and political forces in shaping the nexus new technologies, innovation and job. While process innovations destroy jobs, this paper identifies endogenously triggered market adjustment and societal learning processes as the drivers of job creation dynamics. It highlights the role of Governments in fostering these processes and shaping the future of jobs.
Tags : Employment trend; ICT - Information technologies; Source: ILO - International Labour Organization; Trend - employment; Working paper 2016;

Apprenticeship programs in a changing economic world
Apprenticeships have experienced a resurgence in interest, but a focus on vocational training over general education may prevent workers from acquiring the skills they need for tomorrow’s jobs.
Tags : Analysis - functional and occupational; Apprenticeship - programs; Article 2017; Source: Brookings Institution; VET - vocational education and training;

Canada. Future-proof: Preparing young Canadians for the future of work
Technological trends—while always a critical driver of the economy—are reshaping Canada’s workforce. With a large number of jobs at risk of automation in the near future, including those held by some of the most vulnerable segments of Canada’s population, youth are facing higher skill and experience requirements than ever before. As a result, Canadian youth joining the labour market must come equipped with a broad suite of technical and soft skills to succeed. To ensure Canada’s youth are adequately prepared for this new economic reality, new models that focus on both improving youth employment outcomes and building a stronger talent pipeline need to be explored.
Tags : Canada; Employment - youth; Report 2017; Source: Brookfield Institute; Youth - employment;

Canada/Ontario. An Apprenticeship Skills Agenda - Executive Summary
The skills gaps in Ontario continue and are becoming more complex. It has a direct impact on the ability of firms and organizations to compete and impairs their productivity.
Tags : Apprenticeship; Canada/Ontario; Gap - skills; Report 2017; Skills - gap; Source: Contact North;

Ireland. Monitoring Ireland's Skills Supply 2016
The report aims to monitor the potential supply of skills emerging from the education and training system; it also aims to provide a profile of the current skills of the population by education level.
Tags : Annual report 2016; Ireland; Skills; Source: Skills Ireland;

Palestine. Assessment of Informal Apprenticeship in Palestine
The objective of the research is (a) to provide a detailed knowledge base on informal apprenticeship practices in Palestine and (b) to identify opportunities for a potential framework for upgrading this informal apprenticeship.
Tags : Apprenticeship - informal; Assessment - report; Informal apprenticeship; Palestine; Research paper 2016; Source: TVET in Palestine;

USA. Work Matters A Framework for States on Workforce Development for People with Disabilities
An estimated 1 in 5 Americans, nearly 56.7 million, live with a disability. While expressing an ability, desire and willingness to work in the community and contribute to the economy, many adults and youth with disabilities experience significant barriers to employment.
Tags : Development - workforce; Framework - national framework; Report 2016; Source: Council of State Governments; United States of America; Workers - living with disabilities; Workforce - development;

Europe. Skills mismatch of natives and immigrants in Europe
Despite the strong interest in skills mismatch, an internationally agreed methodology to measure the phenomenon is lacking and methodological discussions are on-going. At the same time, matching of jobs and skills is a major factor shaping labour market outcomes, and monitoring of levels and trends of skills mismatch is important to inform labour market policy development including labour migration and integration policy.
Tags : Analysis - comparative; Comparative analysis; Europe; Foreign workers; Immigration integration process; Immigration policy; Labour market; Mismatch training/workforce - skills; Policy - immigration; Report 2017; Skills - mismatch; Source: ILO - International Labour Organization;

Europe. Ensuring the quality of certification in vocational education and training
This report provides interesting insights into how the certification process quality is ensured in IVET. It explores national approaches in 12 European countries and identifies eight key quality features, which guarantee that the certification processes are consistent across a VET system. This publication discusses key messages and recommendations for policy-makers, bodies involved in certification, and practitioners, and hopes to stimulate further debate, research and action in Europe. 
Tags : Certification; Document 2015; Europe; Source: Cedefop - European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training; VET - vocational education and training;

Young Workers Index 2016
Empowering a new generation: how governments and businesses can unlock a $1 trillion prize.
Tags : Employment - youth; Report 2016; Source: PWC - Pricewaterhouse Coopers; Youth - employment;

EU Skills Profile Tool for Third Country Nationals
The tool is intended for use by any services that may be offering assistance to third country nationals and should be used in an interview situation to get to know the individual, their skills, qualifications and experiences. The focus of the tool is to help individuals produce a profile of their skills and to help an adviser identify any recommendations or next steps. The information collected can be used to: support further assessment, form a basis for offering guidance, identify up-skilling needs, support job-searching and job-matching.
Tags : EU Skills Profile Tool; European Union; Foreign workers; Profiles - recognition; Resources; Skills - recognition; Source: European Union; Tool - EU Skills Profile Tool;

The Essential Guide to Training Return on Investment (ROI): How to determine training ROI in your organization
This e-book will help you answer these questions: What is return on investment? Why is it so important? How do the Kirkpatrick-Phillips levels of training evaluation factor in to all of this? How is training ROI calculated? Which program costs and benefits affect ROI? How can an organization work towards positive ROI results? What are ROI best practices?
Tags : Guide; Return on investment (ROI); ROI - Return on investment; Source: Competency Group; Training;

Retain and Gain: Career Management for Small Business Playbook
This Playbook identifies 40+ low-cost tips, activities and actions that small business can take right now (some in only 10 minutes a day) to attract, engage and retain staff.
En français. Fidéliser et mobiliser : la gestion de carrière dans les petites entreprises
Tags : Guide; Small and medium entreprises - SME; SME - Small and medium entreprises; Source: CERIC - Canadian Education and Research Institute for Counselling;