Close the data gap in the area of adult education and lifelong learning
The ETF recommends addressing the gap between the availability of evidence on adult education and lifelong learning. A first step in that direction would be to analyse the OECD's national PIAAC data, which is a rich repository of information on the skills of the adult population that can be used for monitoring and policy planning purposes.
R.6
Revisit and calibrate the financial allocations for VET to increase capital investment
The ETF recommends rebalancing the financial allocations for VET to increase capital investment in areas of significance that affect the contribution of VET to human capital development. Examples of such areas are up-to-date teaching and learning materials, including materials in priority languages for integrated learning; high-speed internet connectivity and e-learning content; and improvements in the physical infrastructure of all VET colleges to ensure that they can provide decent, up-to-date teaching and learning environments.
R.5
Stimulate the involvement of employers by creating incentives and favourable conditions for their participation in the advancement of VET
The ETF recommends providing employers with incentives – financial or otherwise – to get involved in consultations around the design of VET programmes. These incentives should be robust and ambitious enough to boost the currently modest level of involvement of SMEs in work-based learning schemes and partnerships.
R.4
Upgrade the quality assurance system in VET in line with priorities for human capital development
The ETF recommends bringing the quality assurance system in VET colleges 'up to speed' with the range of changes taking place in the rest of the VET system. This includes shifting the focus of quality assurance from mere compliance with norms to promoting the performance of VET providers and guiding their improvement, as well as investing in the development of robust internal quality assurance mechanisms in VET.
R.3
Revise the career guidance services with a view to improving their effectiveness
The ETF recommends recalibrating the focus of career guidance services to include the needs and expectations of students in addition to considering labour market demand. There is also a need for better coordination of career guidance provision.
R.2
Revise the mechanism for planning and allocating state order places to VET providers
The ETF recommends revising the mechanism of allocation used by the state order for priority programmes in VET, so that it leads to a more balanced distribution of opportunities for participation in VET in line with regional needs and conditions.
R.1
Diversify the streams of VET funding according to purpose
The ETF recommends that the national authorities (Ministry of Education and Science) initiate a consultation about changes in the system of public funding for VET with a view to diversifying the funding according to purpose and need 'on the ground'. This could include the introduction of core funding for the institutional needs of VET providers.
R.8
Give more policy attention to Lebanese emigrants, including those in the pre-departure stage, the diaspora and returnees
Foster exchange programmes for Lebanese nationals studying and working abroad to attract them back; offer entrepreneurship training to returnees; establish micro-credit initiatives and remittance schemes to invest in productive activities, etc.
R.7
Ensure a progressive transition from donor- to country-led VET planning, implementation and monitoring
a. Full ownership would require a broader base of stakeholder commitment and collaboration.
b. Policy uptake and ownership means also having the financial capacity and autonomy to support reforms.
c. A monitoring and evaluation system needs to be established to assess the progress of policy implementation.
R.6
Diversifying the financial mechanisms to address policy priorities, further engage the private sector and ensure greater sustainability
a. Develop an agreed costing methodology
b. Diversify the funding sources
c. Move towards a more performance-oriented approach to resource allocation.
