To help prevent the occurrence of a middle-income trap, the development of vocational training in Viet Nam is considered a priority. As the market mechanism, however, cannot solve the equity issue in vocational training, the role of the government in setting policies to support the disadvantaged becomes indispensable.

Explore the potential of skills development. The presentation shares the characteristics of technical and vocational education and training programs in South Asia. It also discusses the Road Map for Skills Development in the region.

This presentation highlights the emerging opportunity divide among young people around the world. It introduces YouthSpark, an array of global programs developed by Microsoft Corporation that aims to empower, inspire, and help young people.

Demand for high-skill labor will likely grow faster than supply in rapidly modernizing Asian economies over the next decade. Attaining a steep increase in tertiary graduation rates, therefore, has become necessary, though several countries in developing Asia have low secondary school enrollment rates. A critical labor agenda for policymakers is recommended.

There is a need to address skill shortages and improve the environment for skills development in ADB’s developing member countries (DMCs). Although technical vocational education and training (TVET) is increasingly seen as an important issue by DMCs, the use of secondary education sector in TVET delivery, however, requires careful thought.

This presentation introduces Washington-DC based non-profit Results for Development Institute, and focuses particularly on the organization’s education portfolio. It provides an overview of the research on Innovative Secondary Education for Skills Enhancement and shares its findings. It also includes a list of planned follow-up actions.

This presentation introduces the concept of industry-academia partnership (IAP). Sample cases of IAPs in the Republic of Korea, particularly those developed by Meister High School, and the skills development of vocational colleges and universities through the Leaders in Industry-University Cooperation, are examined. Recommendations to further advance IAPs are provided.

Discover the skills challenges in Asia's current labor market. A comparison between skills demand and skills supply is presented. Existing approaches and emerging policy lessons in skills development are discussed.

There is a need for countries to prepare skills for the future. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, through its Skills Strategy Approach, is ready to work with any country and any level of entity to build an effective skills system.

Improving labor productivity is critical to raising the living standards in many developing countries. Vocational education, however, is not focused on low-educated rural workers—the neediest segment. A number of stakeholders should work together to realize the potential of building inclusive skills.