Presentation on the importance of a strategic and comprehensive approach for developing skills for the green and digital transition, by Mr. Andrew Bell, Head of Unit, OECD Skills Strategies, OECD Centre for Skills.

1. STRENGTHENING SKILLS FOR THE TWIN
TRANSITION THROUGH A STRATEGIC AND
COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH
OECD Centre for Skills
https://www.oecd.org/skills/centre-for-skills
Andrew Bell
Head, OECD Skills Strategy projects
Deputy Head, OECD Centre for Skills
13th Meeting of the OECD Southeast Asian Regional Policy
Network on Education and Skills

2. Key challenges of developing a resilient skills system
for the green and digital transition
I
Changing policy priorities result in a lack of
consistency in policy making
II
Countries face many potential areas for
improvement, but have limited resources
III
Different government entities with skills-relevant
responsibilities have diverging priorities
IV
Views of stakeholders (e.g. training providers,
employers) are overlooked
Key challenges

3. Applying a strategic and comprehensive approach will help
to address these challenges
Identify skills policy priorities
Build a shared understanding
of policy priorities across the
whole-of-government
Engage stakeholders to
learn from their experiences
and build support for reform
Develop a long-term & holistic
vision on skills policy
I
Changing policy priorities result in a lack of
consistency in policy making
Key challenges
II
Countries face many potential areas for
improvement, but have limited resources
III
Different government entities with skills-relevant
responsibilities have diverging priorities
Characteristics of a
National Skills Strategy
IV
Views of stakeholders (e.g. training providers,
employers) are overlooked

4. Sectoral
4
The OECD has been actively supporting countries with developing
National Skills Strategies

5. • Strengthening collaboration across the whole of government
• Strengthening stakeholder engagement
• Improving information systems to support informed decision making
• Aligning and coordinating financing
• Improving the skills of youth
• Improving the relevance of VET and HE to the labour market
• Fostering a culture of lifelong learning /Strengthening participation in adult learning
• Reducing skills imbalances
• Attracting and retaining talent
• Encouraging the adoption of high performance workplace practices
• Improving management capacity and practices in firms
Developing Skills
Across the Life
Course
Using Skills
Effectively
Strengthening the
Governance of the
Skills System
National Skills Strategies cover a wide range of topics related to the
development, use and governance of skills
Sources: OECD Skills Strategy 2019

6. The OECD Skills Strategy for Southeast Asia
(OECD, 2023)
Objectives
1. Support Southeast Asia to build a shared understanding
of Southeast Asia’s skills challenges and opportunities
2. Identify international good practices
3. Support peer learning and identify areas and mechanisms
to regional cooperation
6
Broadening access to skills development
Increasing excellence and equity in skills
development
Developing skills that matter
Promoting participation in the formal labour
market
Making intensive use of skills in work and
society
Increasing demand for higher level skills
Promoting a whole-of-government
approach
Promoting a whole-of-society approach
Building integrated information systems
Aligning and coordinating financial
arrangements
Developing relevant skills
over the life course
Using skills effectively in
work and society
Strengthening the
governance of skills systems

7. Timeline
Proposed priority areas
An ongoing OECD Skills Strategy project for
Thailand (2023-2024)
Strengthening the skills of youth
in initial education
Fostering greater participation in
adult learning
Improving the governance of
skills systems
Building on findings from other recent OECD report

8. To learn more about the OECD’s work
on skills visit: www.oecd.org/skills/ 8
To discuss OECD’s work on skills, contact:
andrew.bell@oecd.org, OECD Centre for Skills