Skills for work and life

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region. ADB assists its members, and partners, by providing loans, technical assistance, grants, and equity investments to promote social and economic development.

One of ADB's operational priorities is improving education and training. "ADB will help strengthen students’ foundational skills, including digital literacy and soft skills, and technical and vocational education and training. It will help improve secondary and tertiary education with a greater focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, especially for female students. ADB will promote stronger links with industry and support lifelong learning and re-skilling programs".  (Source: https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/institutional-document/435391/strategy-2030-main-document.pdf (accessed 2/2023)

Some of ADB's projects on TVET:

• In Cambodia: "ADB is helping Cambodia raise the quality of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) nationwide. The project will improve the efficiency of TVET systems and access to training, particularly for women and the poor, and make courses relevant to labor market needs. It will increase the involvement of employers in TVET through skills councils and an instructor apprenticeship program." (Source: https://www.adb.org/projects/46064-002/main (accessed 2/2023)
• In Punjab, Pakistan: "The Improving Workforce Readiness in Punjab Project will help enhance the quality and relevance of TVET to increase graduates’ employability, upgrade workers’ skills, ensure more equitable access to training for women and disadvantaged groups, and improve management and strategic planning in TVET institutions." (Source: https://www.adb.org/news/100-million-adb-project-improve-skills-training-pakistan (accessed 2/2023)
• In The Philippines: "Through the Supporting Innovation in the Philippine Technical and Vocational Education and Training System Project, ADB will help in improving training facilities and equipment in 17 selected technology institutions across the country to transform them into industry-responsive innovation centers. It will also assist in designing new training courses, reskilling and upskilling of trainers, and strengthening the institutional capacity of the government’s Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)." (Source: https://www.adb.org/news/adb-invest-upgrading-filipinos-skills-better-jobs (accessed 2/2023)
• In Tajikistan "With ADB support, Tajikistan has developed new competency-based curricula and learning materials for 17 selected occupations, upgraded 29 learning institutions throughout the country, and improved access to modernized training programs." (Source: https://www.adb.org/news/photo-essays/opening-doors-jobs-tajikistan-s-adults-and-young-people (accessed 2/2023)