Main programme

Welcome note
Philipp Gonon (University of Zurich) / Markus Maurer (University of Zurich)

Keynote conversation: Policy transfer in Vocational Skills Development: Reviewing the last decades
Jon Lauglo (University of Oslo) and Kenneth King (University of Edinburgh/NORRAG)

Session 1: The dual system in international development cooperation: Does it keep its promises?
Simon Junker (Swiss Development and Cooperation Agency): The role of the dual system in SDC’s VSD strategy

Reinhard Stockmann (Center for Evaluation, Saarbrücken): The dual system in international development co-operation: Retrospect and prospects

Philipp Gonon (University of Zurich): The dual system as a solution for remedying VSD systems?

Lunch break

Session 2: Going beyond implementing the dual system in its traditional form
Md. Mominul Ahsan (Apex Ltd., Bangladesh): The Centre of Excellence in Leather: Combining in centre-based and in-firm training in the Bangladesh leather and footwear sector

Claudia Jacinto (Instituto de Desarrollo Economico y Social, Buenos Aires / International Institute for Educational Planning, Paris): The tradition of enterprise-based training in Latin America

Michel Carton (NORRAG): Non-formal education plus training: an alternative to schooling and dual training?

Rudolf Batliner (NADEL/ETH Zurich): Adapting the dual system of VSD

Panel discussion 1: What is the value-addition by the dual system in international development cooper-ation?

Keynote conversation 2: UNESCO’s priorities in vocational skills development
Borhene Chakroun (UNESCO, Paris) and Madhu Singh (UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning)

Session 3: Experiences with the implementation of national qualifications frameworks
Arjen Deij (European Training Foundation): ETF’s role in the development of qualification frameworks in EU-candidate countries

Matthias Jäger (Swisscontact): Experiences with the national qualifications framework in Albania

Salim Akoojee (Wits School of Education, South Africa): Counting the casualties: Experiences with the national qualifications framework in South Africa

Lunch break

Session 4: Challenges of certification systems and the role of national qualifications frameworks
Markus Maurer (University of Zurich): The global quest for credentials and the role of national qualifications frameworks

Tahsinah Ahmed (Swiss Cooperation Office, Bangladesh): Bangladesh’s new National Skills Development Policy and the role of the National Technical and Vocational Qualifications Framework

Rashmi Agrawal (Institute of Applied Manpower Research, New Delhi): India’s approach to certifying vocational skills

André Schläfli (Swiss National Umbrella Organisation for Adult Education): Switzerland on the way to its national qualifications framework

Panel discussion 2: Do we need policy transfer in Vocational Skills Development after all?