Skills development

Different types of skills are essential for successful work. These skills include foundation skills, technical and professional skills, business management skills and core life skills. Development programmes need to identify and promote inclusive learning opportunities for individuals with disabilities to learn all four types of skills. This is supported by article 27 of the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. Skills can often be acquired through traditional home-based activities and education, in mainstream vocational training centres and as an apprentice with members of the community. Through inclusive skills development programmes, people with disabilities have the opportunity to acquire a combination of all four types of skills which ensures greater success in finding decent work and earning an income.

This keylist features resources that support inclusive skills development initiatives. We welcome your feedback: please send comments or suggested additions to sourceassistant@hi-uk.org.

Selected resources

Disability, poverty, and livelihoods guide : guidance from Trickle Up

SANSON, Jo
FELIX, Michael
November 2013

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"This guide is intended to encourage and assist organizations seeking to include people with disabilities in their economic strengthening and livelihood programs. It contains lessons for organizations that aim to move households out of poverty, [and] those that seek to economically and socially empower particularly vulnerable members of poor household"

Funding vocational training and employment for people with disabilities : guidelines for good grantmaking practice

EUROPEAN FOUNDATION CENTRE
EUROPEAN DISABILITY FORUM
2003

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This publication advocates for grantmaking policy in the fields of employment and vocational training which focusses on disabled people. This should mainly be done through the use of education, awareness raising of employers, the encouragement of making adaptation to the workplaces, the inclusion of disabled people themselves in decision processes and the mainstreaming of disability in the employment sector

Integrating women and girls with disabilities into mainstream vocational training : a practical guide

SIM, Foo Gaik
1999

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This manual describes the challenges women and girls with disabilities face in the context of vocational training and employment. It recommends action that can be taken to break the negative cycle of exclusion of women in the three fields of education, vocational training and employment .
The manual gives practical advice and background information on inclusive employment of women and will be of interest to NGOs and government organisations

Moving forward : towards decent work for people with disabilities. Examples of good practices in vocational training and employment from Asia and the Pacific

PERRY, Debra
2003

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This book brings together more than 20 case-studies of programmes and approaches in helping disabled people gain skills, find employment and earn a living in the Asia-Pacific region. They include both centre- and community-based vocational training and income-generation programmes, employment services and partnerships

Recognizing ability : the skills and productivity of persons with disabilities|Literature review

POWERS, Tony
2008

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This resource highlights the contribution of skills development to enhancing the productivity of disabled persons. General background information is provided about the labour market, people with disabilities, productivity and access to employment. Various approaches to skills development are examined with details outlining 'What works, where, and why'. It would be a useful resource for people interested in skills development of people with disabilities in developing countries

Skills development through community based rehabilitation (CBR) : a good practice guide

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR OFFICE (ILO)
2008

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This guide provides an overview of CBR and illustrates examples of skill development for people with disabilities through CBR programmes. Topics are divided into six chapters and case studies highlighting good practices of skills development and enhancing access to work are included throughout the guide. This guide is useful for practitioners, policy makers and programme developers who are interested in skills development for people with disabilities through CBR

Technical and vocational education and training for the twenty-first century|UNESCO and ILO recommendations

UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION (UNESC)
INTERNATIONAL LABOUR OFFICE (ILO)
2002

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This report explains current technical and vocational education and training policy strategies in the 21st Century. The first part gives details about the 'Revised Recommendation concerning Technical and Vocational Education (2001)' by UNESCO, and the second part highlights 'Conclusions concerning human resources training and development' made by ILO in 2000. This document is useful for people interested in international policies for technical and vocational education and training

Training for success : a guide for peer trainers

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION (ILO)
2008

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This guide was developed to help train peer trainers to teach others about how to run a business. It is based on ILO proects and was field-tested in a 2007 project in Cambodia. Key aspects of the peer training method are highlighted with useful steps, illustrations and case studies. This manual is useful for people interested in training peer trainers

Transitions towards an inclusive future : vocational skills development and employment options for persons with disabilities in Europe & Eurasia

TINES, Jeffrey
BUZDUCEA, Daniela
October 2009

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This report highlights international models, approaches and best practices for the programming and implementation of vocational skills development and employment-related services. It provides examples of projects that have successfully transitioned persons with disabilities into open, gainful employment in diverse international contexts. The report is useful for people seeking information about economic empowerment and vocational skills training for people with disabilities

Youth at risk : the role of skills development in facilitating the transition to work

BREWER, Laura
2004

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This paper explores the issue the issue of skills development for youth-at-risk, including the economically vulnerable and the socially excluded. Good examples of training programmes and projects are provided, and innovative approaches are highlighted. This resource would be useful to people interested in youth-at-risk and the role of skill development in facilitating their transition to work