Skip Navigation Links499

Private Sector Participation

Topic Profile Page

The engagement of the private sector is at the heart of every meaningful VSD system. No state in the world can offer meaningful quality vocational education and training on its own. While the design of the national training policy and VET systems development is one of the core functions of the state, it is widely recognised that, in the interests of efficiency and effectiveness and quality, the state shall share this responsibility with private stakeholders in response to changing labour market requirements. Private sector involvement thus provides the basis for change from supply-driven and state-dominated VET to market-oriented VET. In addition, the nature of skills development today requires close links with the private sector because a well-functioning public-private collaboration is a prerequisite for high quality hands-on vocational training in companies.

Besides the documents below, we highly recommend to visit the shareweb from our colleagues from the Competence Center for the Engagement with the Private sector (CEP).

​​​ Key Documents

Prof. Dr. D. Euler-DC dVET [136 kB]
This working tool aims to analyse the widespread postulate stating that the engagement of the business sector in vocational education and training (VET) can enhance the relevance, quality and attractiveness of VET. In concrete terms, the working tool examines the forms which such an engagement can take and how these can be integrated into a country’s frame conditions and objectives... [more]
Prof. Dr. D. Euler-DCdVET

The study aims to analyse the widespread postulate stating that the engagement of the business sector in vocational education and training (VET) can enhance the relevance, quality and attractiveness of VET. In concrete terms, the study examines the forms which such an engagement can take and how these can be integrated into a country’s frame conditions and objectives. In a conceptual section, first a reference framework is developed that embraces complex interconnections and focuses on the key factors of engagement. From the reference framework, possible areas of engagement for involving the business sector are derived. They then need to be evaluated under the specific, different national frame conditions and implemented where appropriate.

UNSECO
Recent developments ascribe ever greater urgency to ensuring equitable access to appropriate skills development programmes. As urban populations grow rapidly, especially in low income countries, young people need skills to work their way out of poverty. In rural areas, young people require new coping mechanisms to deal with climate change and shrinking farm sizes, and to exploit opportunities for off-farm work. This Report reveals that around 200 million young people need a second chance to acquire the basic literacy and numeracy skills, which are essential to learning further skills for work. In all of this, women and the poor face particular hardship.
Markus Maurer-SDC [1 MB]
 This paper briefly describes the different possibles roles of the private sector in VSD systems.
SDC [387 kB]

The present paper gives the synthesis of the e-discussion on collaboration with the private sector in vocational skills development (VSD) hosted by the e+i VSD network of SDC in March 2015. The objectives of the e-discussion were to (i) exchange information and experience on good practices and innovative interventions in collaborating with the private sector, (ii) highlight the specific role of collaboration with the private sector in VSD, (iii) provide practice-orientated recommendations, and (iv) deliver key inputs and food for thought for the face-to-face event in April 2015. Starting point of the discussion was an input paper. The network discussed three areas of collaboration with the private sector. The synthesis follows this structure, brings out the main insights of the three discussion topics and concludes with selected open issues as food for thought.

​​​Relevant Documents

InstitutionTitleYearSmartActivities
CEMETSCEMETS Blog Post: Apprenticeship vs. School-Based VET2018VSD;Private Sector Participation
Springfield, VeedaPrivate sector responsive vocational education in Serbia2017VSD;Instruments;Private Sector Participation
ETH KOFIs it Worth Engaging Employers in VET Reforms?2017Labour Market Orientation;Private Sector Participation;VSD
HELVETAS Swiss IntercooperationSDC - Case Study - Job Matcing Services in Kosov - 20162016M4P;VET Systems Development;Private Sector Participation;Labour Market Orientation;M4P Case Study;HowTo;VSD
BEAM ExchangeBEAM Exchange - Case Study - Applying multipliers in tourism - 20162016Result Measurement;M4P;Private Sector Participation;HowTo
SDC20160930 SDC EI F2F Report Prishtina 20-23 Sept (en)2016Inclusive Business;Private Sector Participation;VSD;HowTo
Apprenticeship and Company-based Training in Myanmar2016Labour Market Orientation;Private Sector Participation;VSD
SDC2015-05 F2F - Concept Paper on Effective Partnerships with the Private Sector2015EPS;EPS;Private Sector Participation
SDCPrivate Sector Participation in Vocational Skills Development2009Private Sector Participation;VSD
ILOThe Changing Role of Government and Other Stakeholders in VET2009Private Sector Participation;VSD
ILO; UNESCOTechnical and Vocational Education and Training in the Twenty-first Century2002Private Sector Participation;VSD
GIZTechnical and Vocational Education and Training and the Labour Market in Development Cooperation2005Private Sector Participation;Labour Market Orientation;VSD
KEK CDCSSACI Capitalisation of Experiences2008Private Sector Participation;VSD
Regulations governing the work of VET Boards in North Eastern Albania2009Private Sector Participation;VSD
Private Sector Participation in VSD - Thematic Input2009Private Sector Participation;VSD
External Review of the Skills Development Project Uzbekistan - Final Report2007Private Sector Participation;VSD
Discussion Input on Private Sector Participation: SDP Uzbekistan2009Private Sector Participation;VSD
Berufsbildung in der entwicklungspolitischen Zusammenarbeit2005Private Sector Participation;VSD