Competence-based training in south asia

Abstract

Competence-based training (CBT) is evolving as a leading approach to produce a world-class, multi-skilled and adaptable workforce. This approach is expected to reduce existing skills gaps that industries face. South Asia, which is estimated to supply almost 40 % of the global labor in the next two to three decades, has a mixed experiences with CBT. This chapter takes stock of CBT experiences in South Asia and examines the important role that industry plays in formulating occupational standards and NQFs in partnership with public and private institutions. This includes developing and implementing regulations and quality assurance systems, as well as ensuring effective coordination and public-private partnership in implementing CBT. South Asia’s limited window for tapping on the demographic dividend makes it crucial to develop a quality-assured and globally recognized skills training system that can help increase exports, remittances, industry competitiveness, and eventually high productivity that leads to higher wages of the population and economic growth of the countries. In conclusion, South Asia has the potential to benefit from CBT so long as its countries are able to adopt and implement enabling policies, maintain synergy among key players (e.g., government, private sector including industries and employers), and ensure standards. In doing this, South Asia can benefit tremendously by addressing key challenges in skills development such as rapid technological changes, high-quality training of trainers in a large scale, rapidly changing labor market needs, increasing labor mobility to move up the value chain, and the urgent need to recognize prior learning.