For more information on how to apply to the programme, please watch this short tutorial.
Organisers
Arbetsförmedlingen
Project objectives
Productive employment interlinks economic development and poverty reduction in a country. Increased access to decent jobs in a formalised labour market is a key to improving living conditions and is a critical element in achieving sustainable development. Creating productive employment requires structural transformation. Labour market information and forecasting are essential prerequisites for the creation of effective labour market policies. Labour market analysis includes information about how to efficiently match the demand and supply of labour in a country. The programme will provide examples of how this is achieved. The labour market analysis will serve as platform when creating active labour market policies (ALMP). The aim of ALMPs is to provide unemployed people with new skills and competencies. This, in turn, will increase productive employment and address issues of mismatches in the labour market, thereby stimulating economic growth.
The training programme aims to strengthen the capacity of decision makers and other stakeholders from Africa and Asia in the field of labour market policy. The participants will exchange knowledge in the field of labour market policies, social dialogue and decent work between countries and regions, as well as a create network between key persons.
Through the group of participants from labour market ministries, labour organisations, trade unions and employers’ organisations, the programme will create a critical mass which will contribute to stimulating the capacity building of institutions in participating countries. This will be a catalyser for long-term reform processes.
Participants acquire knowledge about the latest development in the labour market area. The programme is based on two themes related to labour market policies: labour market information and forecasting and social dialogue as powerful tools for reforming the labour market. Such interaction is necessary in order to achieve an efficient and well-functioning labour market. The cross-cutting issues in the programme include gender equality, anti-corruption and climate.
The programme will provide participants with in-depth knowledge of:
- the role of an active labour market policy in promoting social and economic development
- how analysis and forecasting contribute to a well-functioning labour market
- how social dialogue is a tool for developing the functioning of the labour market
- labour market management and tools
- the ability to identify and analyse challenges and issues in the labour market in the home country and how to propose effective measures
- the ability to initiate, organise and implement sustainable change projects based on development processes
- cross-cutting perspectives including gender equality, anti-corruption and climate issues
- improving employability through digital services.
Participants will become part of an established network for exchanging knowledge and receiving support.
Benefits
- Knowledge and enhanced capacity in the labour market and the role of labour market policies in inclusive economic growth and productive employment
- Knowledge of the value of social dialogue as a tool for decent work and productive employment
- The ability to initiate and manage sustainable reform processes in the labour market
- Capacity and knowledge about planning and implementing a change project
Programme contents
The programme will provide participants with knowledge about the importance of implementing active labour market policies. It will also provide participants with the ability to initiate and manage sustainable reform processes, as well as enhance their knowledge of the importance of active labour market policies for economic growth.
A better functioning labour market will contribute to a more inclusive and equal society. The programme covers areas such as:
- Labour market policy development in Sweden and globally
- The role and importance of social dialogue – principles and practice of social dialogue in the Swedish labour market (the Swedish model)
- Labour market information and analysis, models for analysing and forecasting and standardised labour market information
- Cross-cutting issues on gender equality, anti-corruption and climate to also be included in the participants’ change project
- Examples of effective ALMPs
- The participants will create a professional network in order to exchange knowledge, experiences and information. The programme will also encourage the participants to conduct a workshop on the lessons learnt in their respective organisations.
A key component of the programme will be the participants’ own change project and the management methods necessary to supporting their successful implementation. The goal is for the participants to become agents of change and be capable of initiating new change projects in their organisations. The projects will be monitored during all phases of the programme.
Programme structure
The International Training Program is divided into the following eight phases:
Phase 1 – Inception phase
To start the programme invitations will be sent to the participating countries and organisations, outlining the details of the programme.
Phase 2 – Recruitment phase
Candidate interviews in the participating countries, including meetings with partner organisations and embassies.
Phase 3 – Digital preparatory phase
The phase will give the participants the opportunity to start working on their change projects. The focus is on helping the participants define their change projects. This phase includes project knowledge and individual mentor support. All support will be provided online through video conferences and tutorials via an e-learning platform. Each participant will be assigned a mentor throughout the programme.
Phase 4 – Swedish phase
A two-week programme in Sweden, or in certain circumstances, online, will provide in-depth knowledge of labour market policies. The participants will receive tools for management and implementation of their change projects. This will include lectures, study visits, seminars and workshops. Tools are provided for bench-learning and peer reviews.
Phase 5 – Intermediate phase
Meetings with participants in their respective countries in order to follow up and provide them with support in the work process of their change projects. This phase could include meetings with partner organisations and other stakeholders. The participants will disseminate the information acquired from their training in Sweden, initiate work on their change projects and prepare individual reports for presentation during phase six.
Phase 6 – Completion phase
Follow-up seminar in Africa or Asia. A one-week seminar in one of the participating countries for project management, networking, lectures and study visits.
Phase 7 – Project phase
Completion of the change projects including project reports.
Phase 8 – Final phase:
Follow-up meeting with all involved partners in Sweden in order to discuss lessons learnt.
Where:
- The digital preparation phase will be held online
- The training course in Sweden (the Sweden phase) will be held online
- The one-week regional follow-up seminar will be held in one of the participating countries or online
When:
- The digital preparation phase will take place (online) from 6-16 December 2021
- The online Swedish phase will take place from 24 January - 11 February 2022
- The regional follow-up seminar will take place May 2022
Arbetsförmedlingen reserves the right to make changes to the programme due to factors/events (for example, a pandemic situation) beyond its control.
Training/pedagogics
The training programme will be highly interactive and will require the active participation of all parties. In order to achieve an optimal balance between theory and practice, seminars and lectures will be combined with workshops, study visits and group discussions. Participants are expected to take an active role in all activities, and they will be given opportunities to share best practices and create networks. Seminars, lectures, workshops, study visits and group discussions are mandatory, as well as a number of evening sessions during the Swedish phase. Each participant will have an assigned mentor who will support their work with the change project in the form of group coaching sessions.
28–50 participants will be selected to ensure a close working relationship between participants, lecturers and mentors.
Management and staff
Arbetsförmedlingen has been commissioned by Sida to organise and execute the programme. All international and Swedish lecturers, teachers and mentors have extensive experience within their respective fields.
Concept note for change project
Before applying to the programme, each applicant should identify a relevant labour market related issue or challengefor their organisation that could be a theme of a change project. It is essential that the idea for the change project is approved and actively supported by the participant’s home organisation prior to the preparation phase of the programme. It is also important that the selected change project is in line with the existing reform processes or will initiate a new reform process in this thematic area. Participants are also encouraged to identify synergies with previous change projects. within this programme. Such synergies can be used to strengthen the implementation process.
The participants’ change projects will be in focus throughout the training programme. During the interview, participants must explain how their change project will contribute to the overall objective of the programme.
A concept note of the individual project comprising 1–2 pages should be submitted together with the application form and should include:
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What is the context of the project?
- What problems and needs are your project addressing?
- What will happen in the project?
- What will be the effect of the project?
- How will the resources, financial, human or otherwise be secured to carry out the project?
- What partners and supporters are necessary to involve in order to make this project successful?
- How will such important issues as gender equality, environment and poverty reduction be affected by your project?
Please read more in the document Guidance for producing a concept note and watch the video The Problem Tree Analysis.
Entry criteria
Invited countries
The following countries are invited: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda and Uganda.
Target groups
Ministries, government agencies, trade unions/federations, employers’ organisations/federations, NGOs and enterprises are welcome to apply. It is important that the nominating organisation ensures that the candidate can actively participate in all activities, has the required time and the necessary material and financial resources. The programme requires the full commitment of all parties. The management of the nominating organisation must sign a letter of commitment confirming full commitment during all phases of the programme and the work related to the change project.
Potential candidates are managers or professionals on a strategic level who have a mandate to execute work of change in their own organisation and must be officially nominated by their own organisation (and in some cases by necessary authorities). Candidates should have the ability and resources to initiate and implement development projects in the field of labour market issues and be part of the reform process in the labour sector in their own countries. They must have a university degree or other post-secondary education and relevant work experience.
Seminars, lectures, workshops, study visits and group discussions within the programme are mandatory. Family members are not permitted to accompany participants on any journey or activity connected to the programme.
Language requirements
The training programme will be organised and conducted in English. Participants are expected to make both oral and written presentations. Candidates from countries in which English is not an official language should take a language test with an official body in the home country. Proficiency in English must be certified on the application form. This will also be verified during the interview with the selected candidates.
Health requirements
Good health and full working capacity are a requirement due to the intensive programme and international travel. It is therefore recommended that candidates undergo a medical examination before completing the health declaration on the application form.
Visa requirements
Participants are responsible for obtaining and covering the costs of all visas necessary for their journey and stay during the training programme. The visa should be valid for the entire period in Sweden and passports should be valid for six months longer than the entry visa.
Insurance
All participants are covered by group insurance while in Sweden and organised activities tours during the completion phase. This insurance includes the cost of medical care in the event of acute illness or accident. Medical and dental check-ups are not included. This insurance does not cover travel delays, loss of baggage or theft of personal property.
Costs
The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) will cover all costs including tuition fees, board and lodging (single room), flight ticket to/from Sweden (to/from the international airport in the home country) for the Sweden phase and flight ticket (to/from the international airport in the home country) for the follow-up seminar, certain activities and local transport during the Sweden phase.
Participants must pay for all visa fees, personal expenses and domestic travel to/from the international airport in their home country.
Per Diem/allowance are not included in the programme. The organiser or Sida will not fund the participant’s change project.
Application process
Before applying to the program, you should identify a relevant labor market related issue or challenge for your organisation that could be the theme of your change project. It is essential that the idea for your change project is approved and actively supported by your home organisation prior to the preparation phase of the program. It is also important that the selected theme is in line with the existing reform processes or will initiate a new reform process in this thematic area. You are also encouraged to identify synergies with previous change projects within this program. Such synergies can be used to strengthen the implementation process.
Your change projects will be in focus throughout the training programme. During the interview, you must explain how your your change project will contribute to the overall objective of the programme.
A concept note comprising 1–2 pages should be submitted together with the application. For more information on please read the section Concept note for change project.
The application should be submitted through Sida’s ITP platform.
After submitting the application in the ITP-platform, all information regarding the recruitment process will be sent by e-mail.
Should you have any problems with the application portal, please contact nihal.hariri@arbetsformedlingen.se
Applications submitted after the closing date will not be accepted.
More information
Further information can be found in the brochure here.
Templates for application
Certificate of the English language_template
Letter of nomination_template
Medical statement_template
Selection process
Preliminarily selected candidates will be notified via e-mail. Once selected, the candidate must confirm participation. A letter of Acceptance will be sent to your organisations. Both the selected candidate and her or his organisation must confirm the commitment to participate in all phases of the programme, and to support the work for the programme for change. Both women and men are encouraged to apply. We strive for a gender balance among participants.
Arbetsförmedlingen reserves the right to make changes to the programme due to factors/events (for example, a pandemic situation) beyond its control.