Concise Summary of the 2005 Forum

Provides an overview of the forum, including a background of the issue, topics raised and discussed by attendees, and the role of APEC in VET for youth.

Case study-Thailand
“Vocational Education and Training (VET) for Youth
Employability and Training: Skilling Youth for Employability
for the Knowledge Society: Roles and responsibilities”

Dr. Sam Ian Ward Cummings, Consultant (Former ILO Senior Specialist)

This paper discusses some important aspects of vocational education and training (VET) and the employability for youth, particularly within the context of the ILO. It also looks at a number situations where youth VET is also relevant to skills development in general.

Case study-U.S.A.
“YOUTH VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND
TRAINING IN THE UNITED STATES”

Mr. Gregg H. Weltz, Director, Office of Youth Services, U.S. Department of Labor

This case study provides an overview to the United States’ involvement with Youth Vocational Education. It also explores the two ideas of Youth Vocational Education stemming from the Department of Education and the Department of Labor’s different visions for the program.

Case study-Korea
“Vocational Education and Training, VET, for the Youth -
Sustainable Economic Growth and Youth Employment:
Prospect in Korea”

Dr. Young Real Choi, Associate Research Fellow, Department of Research and Development, Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training

This case study addresses Korea’s plan for Vocational Education and Training needs for the current mismatch between a rising educated population and specific technology-driven careers.

Brunei Darussalam - Economy Report

Ms. Siti Aisah, Acting assistant director, Department of Technical Education, Ministry of Education

This report discusses Vocational and technical education’s impact on Brunei Darussalam’s economy. Brunei is currently heavily dependent on its oil and gas industry which would increase employment opportunities for youth either directly or indirectly. The report looks at the importance of creating an effective human resource development program to ensure that education curriculum is always in line with the socio-economic policy and labour market requirements

Chile - Economy Report

Ms. Marisol Gisela Schmidt Schilling, Advisory, International labor and social security matters, International relations Ministry of Labor and social Welfare

This report highlights the progress Chile has made in the significant creation of jobs since the period of low growth and high unemployment it had in the 90’s. Despite this gain, however, the economic growth does not seem to affect the conditions of incorporation of the youth in the labor market. The report discusses Chile’s plan to facilitate a more fluent transit from the educational system to employment.

People’s Republic of China - Economy Report

Prof. Zeng Xiang-quan, Dean, School of Labor and Human Resource of Renmin University of China

This report looks at China’s large educated youth population and the difficulties they experience in being employed. The report mentions such causes as the imbalance of labor value and the phenomenon of knowledge deviation as well as some labor market failures.

Hong Kong, China - Economy Report

Ms. Lau Pik-yiu, Labour Officer, Youth Work Experience and Training Scheme
Labour Department, Government of the Hong Kong

Ms. Ho Sau-fun, Labour Officer, Youth pre-employment Training Programme Labour Department, Government of the Hong Kong

Ms. Vicky Cheung, Assistant Secretary, Manpower Planning and Training, Education and Manpower Breau, Manpower Planning and Training Division

Hong Kong’s HKSAR Government has invested heavily in education and training through a number of training initiatives to upgrade the manpower quality of the young people. The purpose of this initiative is to enhance youth employability and competitiveness.

Indonesia - Economy Report

Mr. Wisnu Pramono, Sub Director General, Employment System, Sub Directorate General of Employment System Directorate General of Manpower Domestic Placement, Ministry of Manpower & Transmigration (MOMT)

This report explains briefly the situation of youth employment and the challenges of being unemployed and underemployed in Indonesia. The report also advances a number of policies regarding action in support of youth employment and its training development.

Japan - Economy Report

Mr. Akimichi Mikami, Director, Social Infrastructure Office, Human Resources Development Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

Japan’s report looks at the problems facing many youths such as high unemployment and an increase in the number of people with no occupation (part-time workers or unemployed people not doing housework and not going to school). The report discusses the measures in effect by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan that intend to promote the vocational independence of all young people by stimulating their willingness to work in accordance with the “Independence and Challenge Plan for Young People” formulated in 2003.

Malaysia - Economy Report

Mr. Muhammad Hazrul Bin Ismail, Assistant Director, Economic Planning Unit, Prime Ministers Department

This report discusses the VET program for youth in Malaysia and the network of supporting institutions such as the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), Ministry of Education (MOE), Ministry of Human Resource (MOHR), Ministry of Youth and Sports (MOYS), and the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development (MECD).

Peru - Economy Report

Mr. Walter Francisco Gago Rodriguez, Deputy-Minister, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare of Peru

This report focuses on Peru’s youth labor training program, “PROJOVEN”, an initiative of the Ministry of Labour and Employment Promotion of the Government of Peru. The program’s main objective is contributing to increase the level of “employment” in youth of low economic resources, improving, as a whole, the skills and capabilities which will enable them to obtain and maintain formal employment and adapt to the evolution of the trends and needs of the labor market.

Philippines - Economy Report

Ms. Margarita Cruz Enriquez, Human Resource Development manager, P.IMES Corporation

This report presents the program of the Philippine government on the technical-vocational education and training - more popularly known as the Republic Act No. 7796: TESDA Act of 1994. Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) was created for the purpose of adapting the technical-vocational education and training system of the Philippines responsive to the labor market particularly in the light of on-going structural adjustments and changing patterns of trade and competition in the world economy.

Chinese Taipei - Economy Report

Dr. Chung-Wu, Hsieh, Director, TaiNan Vocational Training Center (TNVTC)
Bureau of Employment and Vocational Training, Council of Labor Affairs.

This document will clarify the following points in order to relate the experience in Chinese Taipei: Background Analysis of the ELP Policy, Purpose, Stages, Dates, and Targets of ELP, Employment Counseled Students, Guidelines for ELP Curriculum, Planning, Qualifications of Teachers, Criteria for ELP Funding Priority, Guidelines for Evaluating the ELP, and Overall Results.

Thailand - Economy Report

Ms. Areeya Rojvithee, Senior Expert on Skill Development, Department of Skill Development

This report discussed Thailand’s response to the youth unemployment problem. The report discusses a decentralization of the management of the Governor or the provinces as well as an improved system of collecting data on poorer families at the grass roots level.

Viet Nam - Economy Report

Mr. Nguyen Viet Thang, Officer, Vocational Standard Department, GDVT

This report highlights the improvements made in youth unemployment by Viet Nam. Through its VET program, Viet Nam has made considerable progress in the career development of the youth labor force.