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Fostering Employability for Decent Jobs - A Commonwealth of Learning Initiative in Kenya, Zambia and Nigeria
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Abstract
A number of Commonwealth member states, classified as emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs), exhibit high levels of informal employment, accounting for over 70% of total employment and contributing approximately one-third of national output (Ohnsorge & Yu, 2022). However, this output is often of substandard quality, reflecting the vulnerabilities faced by large segments of the young, active population. Many lack access to dignified work, social protection, or job security. Individuals, who have acquired skills informally through practice but lack formal certificate, remain excluded from gainful employment. Conversely, those with formal qualifications often face employment barriers due to a mismatch between their training and the actual demands of the labor market. To address these systemic gaps, the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), through its Skills for Work initiative, is collaborating with government policymakers and TVET authorities to strengthen frameworks and deliver targeted technical assistance. The initiative seeks to enhance institutional capacity to mainstream TVET-based skills training. This paper highlights the transformative impact of the initiative, providing empirical evidence from Kenya, Nigeria, and Zambia on how the integration of the Skills for Work framework and the e-apprenticeship model—leveraging Open and Distance Learning (ODL)—is driving inclusive, market-responsive workforce development.
PCF11 Plus: Beyond the Forum
Sub-Theme: Skills development through lifelong open education
Paper ID: 8811
Country
Kenya, Zambia, Nigeria
Region
Africa
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Date
2025-09
Author
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Publisher
Commonwealth of Learning (COL)