Upskilling and Reskilling

Technological innovation, demographics, migration, globalisation, climate change, and regional and local dynamic contexts are causing fundamental changes in job profiles and people’s lives, making reskilling and upskilling imperative.

Swisscontact sees continuing vocational education and training (C-VET) as a critical support to economic development and sustainable, equitable economies. We believe that effective upskilling and reskilling interventions respond to enterprises' need for efficiency and innovation. It covers human resource development solutions for all employees and the unemployed and covers technical and transferable skills in the formal and informal sectors. Swisscontact-supported upskilling and re-skilling initiatives are often combined with non-formal and individualised interventions. Individuals build the skills needed to maintain employment and upskill for mobility and integration, advancing their careers or growing their businesses.

"The Hospitality Kampuchea (HoKa) initiative enhances hospitality by upskilling staff through tailored provincial programs. Managers trained as on-the-job trainers, supervised by tourism experts, ensure sustained program success."

Mr. Chuob Ratana, Director at Ministry of Tourism, Kingdom of Cambodia

MORE ON THE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME INCLUDING THE Hoka initiative

Expanding our reach

Swisscontact supports the development of inclusive upskilling and reskilling projects that have the potential to improve people's lives by facilitating labour market integration and enhancing career opportunities for all.

As a capacity builder and facilitator, Swisscontact intervenes on three levels:

We enable individuals to improve present and future employability and resilience to un- or under-employment.
We strengthen service providers to improve the quality, relevance, and recognition of C-VET.
At the system level, Swisscontact supports regulatory and governance changes to improve the scope, quality and accessibility of C-VET.

Unlocking the power of partnerships

Swisscontact believes that successful C-VET projects are based on sustainable models that strengthen partnerships and unlock synergies between employers, business associations, training providers, institutional public actors, and various other service providers. The private sector is the starting point and most crucial actor in C-VET projects. We facilitate multifaceted partnerships, including skills needs assessment and programme design, training of trainers, training and mentoring/coaching programme delivery, access to technology, assessment, certification, C-VET system governance and policy making.

What we offer

Based on the local context, Swisscontact facilitates systemic changes in a facilitative approach. Often, employers are supported to build in-house of skills development and performance enhancement tracking systems. Training providers are supported to develop management capabilities, processes of quality programme development and learner-centred delivery with access to infrastructure and technology, or financially sustainable business models. At a system level, we assist authorities in designing new VET programmes or reform processes. We provide support in terms of financing models, regulating and improving the quality of systems and establishing competency and assessment standards within industry and national frameworks, including health and safety.

Swisscontact's innovative solutions

Learning from the best experiences from projects we have implemented worldwide, as well as from our network of experts, Swisscontact supports participatory processes that lead to designing context-based solutions, elevating the local partners' potential. We support the improvement of framework conditions that enable employers to enhance competitiveness and productivity, and individuals to enhance their careers and their work-life balance.