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Inclusion

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The interrelation of VSD and social inclusion is twofold: on the one hand VSD is a powerful instrument for promoting the social inclusion of its clientele. On the other hand it can fulfil this function only if and when the VSD intervention itself applies an inclusive approach.

Many young people in SDC’s partner countries who – for whatsoever reason – cannot access tertiary education run a high risk of unemployment or low-paid underemployment, often in the informal economy, and subsequent poverty and social exclusion. Participation in quality skills development can help them getting a decent job, earning their living and being able to participate both economically and socially in their local contexts.

However, in SDC’s partner countries at average only around ten percent of those young people without access to tertiary education have an opportunity to benefit of vocational skills development programs. And those who take advantage of such opportunities are often the ones who are better off whereas disadvantaged groups. i.e. young people from poor families,
or living in remote rural areas or belonging to ethnic minorities, or those with low educational levels, can hardly get access to such programs. Therefore SDC’s VSD interventions have to make sure that additional VSD offers are created and that at the same time the access to VSD in general is facilitated for disadvantaged groups who are otherwise would be excluded.

The latter requires an inclusive approach to VSD that implies activities prior to, during and after the actual skills development:

​​Activities prior to, during and after the actual skills development

​​​ Key Documents

Eusl Verlag
The articles of this issue of the german journal "Berufsbildung" analyse from different perspectives how inclusion can be achieved by the means of VSD. You can purchase the whole issue or specific articles. The journal is published in German.
Handicap International [573 kB]

The team from Handicap International produced a short and worth reading paper about their approach to achieve socioeconomic  inclusion for victims of mine/explosive remnants of war (ERW) and persons with disabilities in the departments of Cauca, Nariño and Córdoba of Colombia. 

Both VSD and PSD elements are applied, and a participatory approach is practised. We are happy to distribute their work and would encourage other practitioners to share their experiences.