Technology-based vocational skills training for marginalized girls and young women

In most impoverished communities, there has long been a heavy reliance on self-help mechanisms and micro-enterprise development (especially among women) in the informal economy for household and community survival and local income-generation. The introduction of practical, competency-based skills development for marginalized girls and young women is very likely to improve access to increased earning opportunities, as well as further training and learning for those who have previously had a limited connection with formal education. Such skills development opportunities can be particularly powerful for girls and young women, helping them play a more pro-active role in improving personal and community prosperity.

This manual was prepared within the framework of UNESCO’s project “Technology-based Vocational Training for Marginalized Girls,” which was implemented in Indonesia from 2002 to 2006. The overall purpose of this manual is to facilitate the expansion of the role of technical and vocational schools to include shorter-term, nonformal vocational and technical skills development for marginalized out-of-school girls and young women in various locations in Indonesia.

It is intended for use by officials of the Directorate of Technical and Vocational Education (Dikmenjur) (Indonesia); headmasters and teachers of upper secondary technical and vocational schools; members of local communities; provincial, district and city government officials; and existing and potential local NGO and research partner staff and institutions.

The training provides practical, competency-based skills development which enables participants to capitalize on their innate local knowledge, experience and community assets to generate decent work and sustainable livelihoods at a local level.

Modules include:

• community analysis and needs assessment
• socialization process and participant selection
• curriculum development
• training methodology and learning activities
• post-training follow-up and provision of support
• monitoring and evaluation
• mobilizing resources

Each module includes tool such as checklists, learning activity/lesson plan format, course planning/curriculum format, sample interview forms, sensitization workshop / focus group discussion guidelines, and skills development needs analysis guidelines.