THE International Labour Organization (ILO) will publish a new edition of its ‘World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2021’ (WESO Trends), which looks at the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global labour market and the prospects for recovery.
The WESO Trends will be published tomorrow, Wednesday 2 June. It covers the extent and consequences of the labour market disruption caused by the crisis, including the effects on inequality, working poverty and youth employment. It also outlines principles for a comprehensive and human-centred recovery strategy.
The ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder, and the Director, ILO Research Department, Richard Samans, will present the findings at an embargoed virtual press briefing on Wednesday 2 June.
On the other hand, the ILO has declared that education workers need more support if they are to provide the additional learning needed for building a more resilient and sustainable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The organisation stressed an urgent need to invest in education and in training and decent work for education workers, so they can contribute to the post-COVID-19 recovery.
This was the position of delegates at an ILO technical meeting on the future of work in the education sector. The meeting brought together governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations from around the world.
The delegates said effective lifelong learning and quality education for all are essential for a better future of work, saying, “if teachers, trainers and support workers are to fill this need and pave the way to address the challenges that lie ahead, they will need to master new technologies and learning techniques, understand the skills’ needs of the labour market and receive support to deal with their expanded responsibilities.”
The Ambassador of Barbados and Chairperson of the meeting, Chad Blackman, said: “The future is going to require investment in education and skills, and we need teachers and education workers that are motivated and well-supported so they can prepare learners for life and work.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a major challenge for educators. It has shown the rapidity of the changes that are already taking place, in particular the massive use of technology. These changes, on top of additional roles and responsibilities, are revolutionising the jobs of teachers, administrators and education support personnel.
Another challenge ahead is connecting the world of education with the needs of employers and investing in technical and vocational education and training.
“Ensuring that education and training systems are responsive to labour market needs is a top priority,” said the Employer Vice-Chairperson, Santiago García Gutiérrez.
Gutierrez added: “There is an urgent need to connect the private sector to education and training, so as to provide resources and experience, and to equip learners with the skills that are in demand by employers.”
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