Since its inception, the UN GAID has championed ICT4D in terms of connectivity, accessibility, content, and training. Access to both ICT training and broader job skills training are recognized throughout the developing world as a critical component for achieving the Millennium Development Goals, advancing ICT for development overall, and facilitating participation in the global, digital-based economy. Also, e-learning is recognized as a valuable tool for extending educational and economic opportunity for individuals, and transforming workforce development for communities and nations. To convert these principles into results-oriented action, the UN GAID advances tangible, practical solutions and programs that can reach millions of students and trainees worldwide, enabling them to access all of the benefits of ICT4D. E-learning of job skills can also be a powerful tool for the UN GAID’s concentrated efforts to empower development practitioners with appropriate, effective and sustainable ICT tools to help countries achieve tangible progress towards achievement of the MDGs.
Objectives and Scope
The objective of this Flagship Partnership Initiative is to enable the workforce of G77 Developing Countries – and disadvantaged sectors of developed economies – to compete in the current and future global economy by giving them access to 21st-century employability skills. Such skills aim for learners to become self sustainable, by qualifying them for employment and entrepreneurial opportunities. Individuals and communities benefit in terms of poverty reduction, educational and economic opportunity, entrepreneurial enhancement, gender equity, youth empowerment, development of a knowledge-based economy, and creating large numbers of well-qualified prospective employees that attract companies to initiate or expand business in these countries.
The scope of this FPI would be scaled to global capacity and reach. ICWFD’s technology framework enables an unlimited number of students in an unlimited number of countries to take e-learning courses simultaneously, wherever students have access to a PC and an Internet connection. The courses range from some that enable basic digital-literacy to many that provide advanced training in specialized I.T. and business skills. The courses are in English, with both text and audio, to accommodate students who prefer English in either written or spoken form.
Output / Deliverables
ICWFD has launched a global job-skills development initiative called e-Skills360° which is the only e-learning program of its kind in the world that addresses ALL of the key barriers to accessing quality education and e-learning, such as low bandwidth (that is prevalent in many developing countries), high cost of courseware, piracy, lack of awareness of e-learning, etc. ICWFD’s state-of-the-art, high-end technology provides access to over 1,500 of the highest quality certification-level Information Technology, Business, and Professional Development courses that ensure internationally-standardized curriculum and approved instructional methods, resulting in skills-competency for students who complete courses.
The ICWFD is positioned to provide access to e-Skills360° courses worldwide during 2010 and beyond with the assistance of partners who provide resources for outreach to learners, funding of the courses, and distribution of the PIN codes. To effectuate this Initiative, the ICWFD seeks to:
• develop global, regional, and country-specific partnerships that raise awareness among prospective
learners in developing countries about the opportunity to access job skills training via e-learning;
• expand access to courses through global, regional, and country-specific partners that provide funding
for e-Skills360° courses, so that learners may access them for free;
• develop in-country partnerships for distribution of course-access PIN codes, so that learners in
developing countries can access the courses and benefit from this FPI; and
• enfranchise a prestigious university or other educational institution to include its certification for the
achievement of skills on the ICWFD’s Course Completion Certificates.
While ICWFD itself does not seek funding for overhead, it is necessary to acquire sponsorship for courses to deliver them at NO COST to the masses who seek to study the courses, as well as to stimulate awareness for its initiative among potential students in developing countries.
Lead Partner: The International Commission on Workforce Development (ICWFD)
The ICWFD is a non-profit organization that bridges the digital divide and increases job skills in the 133 UN-designated “G77” developing countries. We provide access to over 1,500 state-of-the-art and certification-level information technology, business, and professional development courses though our e-Skills360° e-learning platform. Sponsored courses are FREE to students and trainees. Sponsorship is made possible by government, UN agency, foundation, civil society, and corporate social responsibility funding, at only a small fraction of the commercial rates for these courses. The ICWFD’s per-course rates are the lowest in the world, and yet, its library of 1,500 courses is among the world’s largest. The courses are accessed online with a PIN number that is provided either electronically or on co-branded scratch cards (with the PIN hidden under a scratch-off coating) that provide major branding, publicity, and goodwill benefits to the sponsor. To ensure against barriers to educational access, students may not be asked to pay for courses, and the PIN codes are not able to be resold. e-Skills360° courses and the new Serebra Connect system (which connects learners with worldwide work opportunities offered by those who seek skilled workers) provide broad-based benefits for individuals and communities.
Partner Organizations
UN GAID members and others are encouraged to join this Flagship Partnership Initiative in order to extend the reach of job skills training in developing countries, harness the potential of ICT for achieving the Millennium Development Goals, and catalyze the UN GAID’s leadership in ICT4D. This FPI will advance operational capacity and results toward the UN GAID’s vision and firm conviction that we must all collaborate to extend ICT4D, eradicate poverty, and elevate marginalized populations in developing countries toward a path of sustainable growth and economic development through the development of ICT and work skills.
By scaling this initiative with prospective partners and sponsors of courses – from among and beyond the current UN GAID membership – that join this FPI, the ICWFD will be able to reach many millions of prospective students in the 133 G77 developing countries. In developing its technology and educational platform, ICWFD has partnered with leading e-learning solution and content providers, including Serebra Learning Corp. for its e-learning platform, Paplion and Activa Financial Technologies for their Web 2.0 technologies, and four of the world’s leading curriculum content providers. ICWFD has also partnered with numerous private sector partners in many countries for sponsorship of courses and free dissemination of the courses to the masses. The ICWFD welcomes additional partners to join the effort on this FPI, and the International Labor Organization has indicated its intention to participate.
Further Information and Contact
For further information about the ICWFD and e-Skills360°, please visit www.ICWFD.org
and please feel free to contact the ICWFD at: Bradford.Kane@icwfd.org