This ETF assessment on human capital development (HCD) in Palestine[6] This designation must not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of the Member States on this issue.
follows a Torino Process national assessment that took place over the period 2018–2019. For the fifth time since 2010, a large group of national vocational education and training (VET)[7] In Palestine, the term 'technical and vocational education and training' (TVET) is used, while the ETF prefers to use vocational education and training (VET). Throughout this publication the term VET will be used unless referring to a specific unit, document or quote from Palestine that makes reference to TVET specifically.
stakeholders discussed the state of play of VET and the labour market in Palestine, which resulted in a Torino Process national report as a self-assessment exercise.
The ETF assessment process includes an extensive phase of desk research based on the national report, a literature review of relevant studies, the gathering of additional data and evidence, and the preparation of an issues paper containing an overview of themes to be discussed in the present report, which were then finalised in consultation with the ETF ETF country coordinator and thematic experts responsible for Palestine.
Within the context of regional policy dialogue, the findings and recommendations of the ETF Torino Process assessment provide elements to inform future regional initiatives in the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean area, as well as ongoing discussions on post-2020 programming. The findings of this report will also feed into the current dialogue, led by the Union for the Mediterranean and the European Commission, on monitoring the progress of the 2019 Ministerial Declaration on Employment and Labour, which underlines a range of issues, including the importance of reforming education and training systems to respond to the challenges of ensuring employment, employability and decent work[8] For more information on the importance of investment in education, higher education and training systems, including VET, and on the lifelong reskilling and upskilling of workers to prepare them for constant changes in the world of work, see Ministerial Declaration on Employment and Labour, April 2019, p. 4.
. A cross-country report will consolidate all Southern and Eastern Mediterranean Torino Process assessment outcomes and contribute to a monitoring and evaluation framework that is to be developed as a concrete output of the Declaration[9] The Labour Ministers asked the Union for the Mediterranean Secretariat, with help from volunteer countries, to coordinate the setting up of a framework for national monitoring processes, notably by organising meetings, providing relevant information, making contacts and engaging in networking, and cooperating with country stakeholders and international organisations. The Ministers invited the European Commission and relevant EU agencies, in particular the European Training Foundation, to provide their expertise. See the Ministerial Declaration on Employment and Labour, paragraph 29, April 2019.
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Building on the national report, this assessment expands the VET context to a wider perspective of human capital development in a lifelong learning context. As with other ETF assessments, this paper is not meant to be exhaustive. The national report for Palestine covers a broad selection of problems revolving around human capital development and use, while this assessment focuses on the challenges that the ETF recommends addressing as a matter of priority.