industrial policy, its spatial aspects and cluster development in ...

The 2009-2013 NAVTEC Skills Strategy is the first attempt at a formal policy direction
for TEVT activities. The vision is “Skills for Employability, Skills for All.” The strategy
aims at a shift from time-bound, curriculum-based training to flexible, competencybased
training as well as a shift from supply-led training to demand-driven skills
development by promoting the role of industry in both the design and delivery of TVET.
The main objectives are to provide relevant skill, improving access, equity and
employability while assuring quality [National Vocational and Technical Education
Commission (2009)].
The reform agenda includes establishing industry specific Centres of Excellence,
increasing the role of the private sector, reforming the apprenticeship system,
encouraging entrepreneurship, making training delivery flexible, integrating informal
economy workers, enhancing worker mobility, providing career guidance and placement
services, registering and accrediting institutes and reforming the management of
training institutes. These initiates when launched at the sector level will trigger
industrial competitiveness.
The action plan of the government to achieve these objectives is to strengthen
institutional linkages with industry, as training is designed around skills and knowledge
that are not necessarily relevant to the market. To link the industry and government, it
is proposed that sector specific Industry Advisory Groups (IAG) be established. Each
IAG will be represented by members of large, medium and small industry, including all
sub-industries that fall within the category, international employers, and employees.
Their responsibilities will be to carryout periodic sector surveys, identify skill needs in
their sectors, indicate new and emerging areas and occupations and determine and
update competency standards for workers. IAGs will be established gradually over time,
with the aim to establish two each year until all major sectors are represented.
Under the National Skills Strategy, the government proposes to promote and facilitate
the establishment of sector-specific training institutes and Centres of Excellence. These
institutes are to be located in proximity to relevant industry in order for them to benefit
from new technologies, and to facilitate industry placement of trainees and trainers and
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