Given the received wisdom that training for the poor has had limited impact and training systems have not reoriented to meeting the need of the poor, the key question is 'what is the scope for improvement with respect to both these dimensions of the training crisis?' Again, the prevailing mood among leading commentators is decidedly pessimistic. Broadly speaking, two types of pessimism can be discerned.
'Training pessimists' (for want of a better term) maintain that training interventions for the majority of the poor are only ever likely to be effective under the most exceptional circumstances. Consequently, there is little point in trying to reorient public training systems in support of these groups. Rather it is better to concentrate on areas of training that have high pay-offs (which are mainly in the formal sector) and provide other types of support for the EVSE (such as micro credit, primary education and health services) that have much greater impacts on poverty reduction.
'System pessimists' believe that, while the training record has not been good, there is still considerable scope to develop training interventions that can effectively address the skill needs of EVSE. However, this can be achieved on a mass scale only if training systems are themselves comprehensively reformed. Their pessimism stems, therefore, from their assessment of the poor prospects for significant re-orientation of national training systems in the foreseeable future. Of particular concern is that, while the number of people living in absolute poverty continues to grow, the capacity of the state to support appropriate training appears to be declining in many developing countries. More generally, given dwindling resources and other pressing demands for training services from other sectors, there is a sense of being overwhelmed by the enormity of the skills challenge in support of the poor.
More optimistic voices tend to be drowned out by the prevailing mood of despondency about the potential role of training in overcoming economic vulnerability. The 1998-99 World Employment Report, which focuses on training, cautions against undue pessimism on this issue. It concludes that "if training is complemented with credit at low rates of interest through a decentralised system of loan delivery and collection, it is possible to make a real difference to incomes in the informal sector" (ILO, 1998). However, while obviously well-intentioned, this hardly amounts to a coherent strategy that addresses all the many concerns about the potential of formal training activities to reduce poverty. Indeed, it is precisely this lack of vision, of simply not knowing what to do, which is perhaps the most worrying aspect of the "training crisis".
EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING PAPERS 43 Learning to change: Skills development among the economically vulnerable and socially excluded in developing countries Paul Bennell Employment and Training Department International Labour Office Geneva First published 1999
To learn more about this author, visit International Labour Organization's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
 |
Related Articles |
|
 Ambush
|
| |
Life can change in one of two ways: either you choose to manage change or change ambushes you.
|
|
The Prayer of Change
|
| |
The three sentences in a quotation attributed to Martin Luther King, Jr. are a prayer for change. It speaks to us on every level of business, of society, and of self-improvement.
|
|
Surviving Change The Stress It Creates
|
| |
Change is the status quo. Change is everywhere. And so is stress! Some have called stress the invisible epidemic. The truth is that stress is spreading rapidly and just about everybody is feeling the effect.
Acti...
|
|
Make Change Easy Get Involved
|
| |
The level and intimacy of involvement in change makes a big difference to how people are able to respond. Taking 'control' of change can be fruitful, enlightening and, yes, enjoyable. If you are undergoing change, t...
|
|
Navigating Career Change Understanding the Six Phases of Change
|
| |
Do you feel the need to change your career, your workplace, your relationships? Understanding the emotions and stages of change can assist you pull together a realistic action plan.
|
|
|
|
![[Get Copyright Permissions]](http://license.icopyright.net/images/icopy-w.gif){kind=small}
