COL’s 2021-2027 Strategy identifies its role as a catalyst for the transformation of education and training systems by working with partners to develop innovative models for sustainable development using ODL and technology and, once proven, help partners replicate, scale up and institutionalise these models. COL also aims to promote the use of ODL and technology-based approaches to promote the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 4 through evidence-based advocacy.

In line with this strategic direction, COL’s Skills for Work initiative includes the Skills in Demand model. The model considers how ODL, and technology can help solve global labour market challenges, recognising the need for effective and efficient skills development. The model has been designed to:

• increase access through
• removing barriers of time and place for learners
• decreasing costs for education providers, which can then be passed on to learners, through using existing workplace infrastructure, and resource-based learning at scale
• assure quality and relevance through
• industry and educational provider partnerships
• competency based learning and assessment
• thoughtful use of technology to enhance learning and assessment.

COL is supporting several skills in demand projects:

• Zambia -Luanshya Technical Business College (LBTC) in partnership with Nakadoli Furniture Co-operative to implement a furniture making project for accelerated creation of jobs using new national qualifications.
• Kenya – Kenya Technical Trainers College (KTTC) in partnership with the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) and the Kenya National Federation of Jua Kali Associations (KNFJA) to upskill master craftsmen and women in the informal sector with pedagogical skills using new national qualifications.
• Nigeria – Yaba College of Technology, Computer and Telecommunication Engineers Association of Nigeria to implement a computer and mobile phone repair project using existing national qualifications.
• Tuvalu – Tuvalu Atoll Science and Technology Training Institute (TASTTI) and Public Works Department to implement a project on basic construction skills using basic trades courses.
• Bangladesh – Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM) partnering with the Bangladesh’s Ready Made Garment (RMG) industry for implementation of demand driven, competency based, cost-effective, innovative, scalable, on-the-job training models to train: Unskilled workers to be semi-skilled to meet current needs and be more efficient; Semi-skilled workers to be skilled to move into new categories of garments and work with new technologies; Managers to improve productivity and offer career progression; Managers and workers in health and safety to improve safety of staff and comply with western buyers’ conditions; and, Managers and workers in environmental compliance to be more environmentally sustainable and comply with western buyers’ conditions.