We are delighted to announce that we have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL).
COL was established in 1987 by Commonwealth Heads of Government ‘to create and widen access to opportunities for learning, making use of the potential offered by distance education and by the application of communication technologies to education. COL is the only official Commonwealth agency located outside the United Kingdom and is the world’s only intergovernmental organization solely concerned with the promotion and development of distance education and open learning.
The Skills for Work (SfW) initiative at the COL focuses on the use of distance education and open learning in TVET. Focus areas include building the resilience of TVET systems; strengthening skills training in enterprise based and institution based TVET; and fostering employability of the youth for decent jobs, in line with COL’s strategic plan (2021-2027). Using COL’s e-apprenticeship model, partner institutions are supported to implement projects focusing on skills that are in demand in line with the ILO Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work, 2019. COL also actively works through diverse initiatives in promoting employability and entrepreneurship skills among girls, women and other vulnerable communities following a gender responsive and empowerment-based approach.
Among some of our joint goals are:
- collaborate on regional and international conferences, webinars, and events;
- promote, advocate and contribute content on TVET to the outlets of both Parties, such as websites and social media, and the IVETA International Journal for VET and the COL Journal of Learning for Development;
- cooperating and taking joint actions to increase access to TVET and knowledge opportunities for all, including people with disabilities, girls and women, and those in under-served regions using ODL;
- carrying out joint research and studies, consultancy and advisory services, and training. Rights and ownership of scientific results generated by joint projects will be shared;
- each party assisting the other party in the carrying out of the second party’s mandate by the provision of services falling within the mandate of the first party;
- cooperating in international fora and with:
- international bodies; and
- regional bodies in Africa, Caribbean and the South Pacific to advance common objectives.
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