Launch of ADB/PIFS Publication
Skilling the Pacific: Technical and Vocational Education and Training in the Pacific
Sirpa Jarvenpaa
Regional Director, SPSO
Asian Development Bank
at Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Fiji Islands
19 August 2008
Salutations
Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen
I am also pleased to welcome you today on behalf of the Asian Development Bank to the launch of a major study that highlights the importance of expanding regional technical and vocational education and training programs in the Pacific Islands.
The study, “Skilling the Pacific”: Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the Pacific is a joint initiative by the ADB and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. The study was funded by the Government of Japan under Japan Special Funds administered by the Asian Development Bank. The study was carried out by a team of 4 international and 12 domestic consultants, who undertook extensive consultations with stakeholders in 13 Pacific countries.
The study highlights that the Pacific region suffers from a paradox when it comes to Technical and Vocational Education and Training. While unemployment levels are high, the Pacific Island countries continue to import skilled workers from overseas to fill jobs, for which the people in the region do not have the skills or the experience to perform.
The study also points out that all 13 countries surveyed have skills gaps in different areas. In the study employers have identified that lack of skills development in the Pacific Islands impose significant constraints on creating income raising opportunities and private sector development in the region.
The launch of this publication is very timely for ADB. During the last ADB’s annual meeting in Madrid, ADB’s Board of Governors and development member countries, including the leaders from the Pacific region, endorsed ADB’s Long Term Strategic Framework “the Strategy-2020” that establishes ADB’s long-term strategic vision.
A key pillar of Strategy-2020 is inclusive growth – which reflects the need to make growth “more inclusively” in terms of benefits flowing through creation of more employment opportunities for the skilled Pacific workforce. This study, Skilling the Pacific, develops critical ideas and proposals for the Pacific in the context of inclusive growth.
While it clearly there is no miracle solution, technical and vocational training can develop opportunities for earning either a livelihood in the formal-or more importantly-in the informal sectors in the Pacific economies. Boosting skills development in the Pacific promises a part of the solution to help address the youth and unemployment problems that are so widespread in the region.
The document is also very relevant, given the current interest in labor mobility and emigration which have both positive and undesirable implications to the Technical and Vocational Education and Training initiatives.
While many Pacific countries provide Technical and Vocational Education and Training, very little research has been done on skills development in the region. This publication aims to bridge this gap.
I would like to highlight that the study focuses on three major topics:
- gaps between supply and demand for vocational skills,
- development of effective country and regional strategies for skills development,
- and the necessary investments to implement these strategies.
We sincerely hope that the recommendations for reform the study makes will lead to improvements in skills development regionally and we hope the recommendations may also lead to our development partners providing further support for technical and vocational education and training in going forward.
This study highlights many good practices and case studies from around the region. It is critical that policy makers and others learn from each other about what works and what doesn’t in the Pacific context. The study crucially amplifies lessons from the past experience so as not to repeat the expensive mistakes.
Finally, on behalf of the Asian Development Bank, I wish to express our gratitude to the Government of Japan for funding this study through the Japan Special Fund.
We are also grateful to the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat which has played a pivotal role as the executing agency for this project. Thank you also to the many stakeholders (some of whom are here today) who gave up their time to take part in the consultations.
My colleagues from ADB and the Forum Secretariat may want to provide additional information. Thank you. Kiyoshi and Helen – Floor is open to you.
News and Events 
Top of page
