Syllabus: GS3/ Economy
Context
- The International Labour Organization (ILO) in its report has called on governments to make lifelong learning a central pillar of economic and social policy amid rapid technological and structural changes in labour markets.
What is Lifelong Learning?
- Lifelong learning refers to the continuous acquisition of knowledge, skills, and competencies throughout an individual’s life. It includes:
- Formal education and vocational training.
- Informal learning through work experience and digital platforms.
- Continuous reskilling and upskilling to adapt to changing labour markets.
Key Findings of the ILO Report
- Inequalities in Learning Opportunities: Informal workers, low-income groups, women, and less-educated individuals have significantly lower access to training opportunities.
- The report highlights a widening “learning divide” between formal and informal sectors.
- Overemphasis on Formal Education: Existing policies focus excessively on initial formal education while neglecting continuous skill development throughout life.
- Access Gap: Only 16% of people aged 15–64 participated in structured training during the 12 months preceding the survey.
- Nearly 51% of full-time permanent workers employed in formal sector firms received employer-provided training.
Why is Lifelong Learning Becoming Important?
- Technological Transformation: Rapid digitalisation and the spread of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are transforming traditional occupations and creating new skill requirements.
- Automation is expected to replace repetitive and low-skill tasks, increasing demand for advanced cognitive and digital skills.
- Green Transition: The shift towards renewable energy, sustainable industries, and climate-resilient economies is generating new employment sectors.
- Workers require new technical and environmental skills to adapt to green jobs.
- Demographic Changes: Aging populations in many countries and youth-heavy populations in developing nations are reshaping labour supply dynamics.
- Lifelong learning helps older workers remain employable and enables youth to meet evolving industry needs.
- Changing Nature of Work: Gig economy, remote work, and platform-based employment require workers to continuously upgrade their competencies.
Key Government Initiatives
- Skill India Mission aims to train millions of youth in industry-relevant skills focusing on improving employability and bridging the skill gap.
- Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS): Offers vocational training to non-literates, neo-literates, and school dropouts, focusing on rural, women, and marginalized communities.
- National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS): Promotes apprenticeship by offering financial support for apprentice stipends. Training includes both basic and on-the-job/practical training in industries.
- PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): It is the flagship skill certification scheme launched under the Skill India Mission to enhance employability among youth.
- It seeks to provide industry-relevant short-term training, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), and special projects.
- National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has recommended integration of vocational education into mainstream education in all educational institutions.
What are the Challenges?
- Digital Divide: Unequal access to internet connectivity and digital infrastructure limits participation in online learning.
- Informal Workforce: In countries like India, a large informal workforce lacks institutional support for training and reskilling.
- Financial Constraints: High training costs discourage participation among vulnerable populations.
- Institutional Fragmentation: Lack of coordination between governments, educational institutions, and industries weakens skill ecosystems.
- Rapid Skill Obsolescence: Technological change is making existing skills outdated at a faster pace.
ILO Recommendations
- Inclusive Learning Systems: Ensure affordable and accessible training for women, informal workers, rural populations, and vulnerable groups.
- Strengthen Public-Private Partnerships: Collaboration between governments, industries, and educational institutions can align training with labour market needs.
- Flexible Learning Models: Encourage modular courses, online education, micro-credentials, and workplace learning.
- Social Protection: Social security systems should support workers during periods of retraining and job transitions.
International Labour Organisation (ILO)
- It is an United Nations Agency established in 1919 as part of the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I, and it became the first specialized agency of the UN in 1946.
- India became a founding member of the ILO in 1919, even before gaining independence.
- It has 187 Member states.
- It sets labour standards, develops policies and devises programmes promoting decent work for all women and men.
- It is the only tripartite U.N. agency that brings together governments, employers and workers.
- It is headquartered inGeneva, Switzerland.
Source: TH
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