Lifelong learning is essential for building inclusive, resilient and future-ready societies. Yet, rapid digitalisation and demographic shifts are changing how, when and why people learn throughout life. This report explores how countries and economies can strengthen individuals' agency as lifelong learners, supporting people to take an active role…

This article critically examines the ongoing public debate about the relevance of the formal education system in South Africa. Critics argue that formal education is outdated, ineffective in addressing unemployment, and disconnected from market needs. Using Human Capital Theory as a framework, this paper challenges these claims and argues that the…

The Government of South Sudan, in collaboration with UNESCO, is implementing a project with the aim of strengthening TVET in South Sudan. The project commissioned a baseline study to engage stakeholders in an in-depth discussion to unpack what they consider to be the key entry points and pathways to enable TVET to effectively accelerate a green,…

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education is pivotal in fostering innovation and promoting Germany's position in global industries and in several sectors. This paper explores selected cases of STEM education and STEM related VET in Germany, focusing on how learning outcomes are aligned with the evolving demands of a…

Education remains one of the biggest challenges for Latin American societies. However, the factors explaining this are hardly known, less so thoroughly understood. In "Skills, Values, and Development: The Political Economy of Education in Latin America", the authors approach the education problem in 21st-century Latin America by…

This paper is based on findings of a study that examined challenges to innovation and the greening of economies identified by businesses, TVET institutions, and other organisations with the "aim to formulate options for strategic actions to increase 'sustainable competitiveness' of Hong Kong SAR, China" as measured by "The Global…

This report examines how OECD countries are equipping their labour markets for the green transition. Drawing on case studies from Austria, Canada, Flanders (Belgium), Ireland, the Netherlands and Spain, it reviews comprehensive national strategies that link employment and skills development with climate goals. The report also analyses targeted…

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is transforming global education, posing significant challenges and opportunities for higher education in South Africa. This revolution is driving a shift in teaching methodologies, curriculum design, and the integration of advanced technologies. This study systematically investigates how South Africa's…

Public schools are one of the last remaining institutions that bring people together across lines of race, class, and politics. Their civic role cannot be distilled to a single course. Embracing a broader vision means seeing school as a civic space and the everyday experience of school as an incubator of civic knowledge, skills, and commitment.…

Digitalisation places new demands on the early childhood education and care (ECEC) workforce to navigate the care and well-being of children in the digital age. This literature review examines frameworks for digital competencies (DC) in education, with a focus on ECEC, as well as variation in DC requirements for ECEC staff with different…

This paper represents the latest in a line of papers and think pieces that the author has prepared on this topic -- for the UK government, the UK Skills and Productivity Board, and the Scottish Government and Scottish Funding Council -- since 2014. It seeks to explain why trying to bring skills supply into closer alignment with demand for skills…

Since transitioning to a market-based, parliamentary democracy, Bulgaria has made significant strides in reforming its education and skills systems. Key achievements include expanding compulsory education, raising participation in the early years to OECD levels, modernising curricula across the system, and facilitating access to adult learning.…

This final report on the thematic country reviews (TCRs) on upskilling pathways conducted in Italy from 2021 to 2023 serves as a valuable resource for policy-makers, social partners, and all stakeholders involved in the upskilling process. It summarises the outcomes of the three phases of the research and discusses areas for actions. This report…

Higher education institutions have the societal role and responsibility of providing guidance to their members and the surrounding community. Institutions endeavored, and are still striving, to illustrate multi-faceted practices that can be integrated into the founding principles of an educational institution. And that can pave its way through the…

This policy brief highlights the need to transform adult skills development by expanding beyond traditional continuing vocational education and training (CVET) to include workplaces and digital environments supported by frameworks that connect formal, non-formal and informal learning pathways. It stresses the importance of workplaces as lifelong…