About 250 participants, both in presence and online, attended the seminar, that also the participation of numerous social, political, and entrepreneurial institutions in Ecuador.
The event’s objective was to keep up the reflection on the theme active through a series of conferences that bring together prominent public, private and civil society personalities, to make positive and visible efforts to promote policies, programs and projects that foster employability of the young.
On the day of the inauguration, Fr Sánchez emphasized that Salesians in Ecuador were committed to education and formation of young people. He also pointed out that vocational preparedness, was not necessarily linked to secondary or tertiary education system. He stressed the need for professional and vocational skills as alternatives that would increase the chances of employability or of starting a business.
The Minister of Labor, in his speech, said he was a proud Salesian Past Pupil of the “Cardenal Spellman” school. He that, his Ministry works constantly to meet the needs of unemployed young people and thus he underlined the need to strengthen employability training and education, as the pillars to achieve a better future.
The first presentation of the Forum took place on the following Thursday, conducted by Mr. Gonzalo Graña, program officer at the ILO/Cinterfor, and by Fr Juan Cárdenas. Mr. Graña’s presentation revolved around the theme: Current status of work and non-formal education in Ecuador and the Region. Fr Cárdenas focused instead on the Ecuadorian education system, exhorting the need to take education beyond political and academic discourses, and to move towards concrete actions, given the fact that 53% of young people aged 15 to 24 are underemployed or have unpaid work.
The first day ended with the participation of Diana Icaza, President of the National Council for the Defense of Artisans, who spoke about craft training in Ecuador, and Carlos Barrionuevo, Under Secretary for Labor Policies, who discussed public policies for the promotion and development of employment, with a focus on young people and the productive sectors.
The meeting continued on Thursday and Friday with various presentations and panels that addressed issues related to entrepreneurship, job placement, training modules where public and private sector experts linked to each sector. The event ended with a exhibitive display on institutional experience in management models, technology, job placement, entrepreneurship, human training and psychosocial support.
https://www.infoans.org/en/sections/news/item/13741-ecuador-a-seminar-on-vocational-education-and-employability-of-young-people#sigProId078b7cb1c7
