BRICS South-South Knowledge Series 2

Across BRICS countries and the wider Global South, artificial intelligence, digitalisation, demographic change and the green transition are transforming labour markets and the skills required by workers and enterprises. Addressing skills mismatches, strengthening vocational training systems and expanding lifelong learning opportunities have become essential priorities for building inclusive, productive and future-ready economies.

Skills for the Future is the second series of the BRICS South-South Knowledge Series. Through three interactive webinars, it will bring together policymakers, skills development institutions, employers' and workers' representatives, ILO specialists and practitioners to exchange experiences, identify transferable solutions and deepen South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) on skills development.

Building on the priorities of the 2026 BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers' Declaration, BRICS CONNECT and the Indian BRICS Presidency, the series will also create space to connect BRICS skills priorities with relevant G20 discussions and initiatives. It will promote mutual learning, institutional cooperation and the adaptation of successful practices to different national contexts through SSTC.

Webinar 1 - South-South Skills Intelligence: Anticipating Future Skills and Emerging Occupations

Exploring how BRICS countries anticipate changing skills needs through labour market intelligence, skills forecasting and occupational mapping, particularly in digital, green and care sectors. The session will facilitate South-South exchange on methods, institutions and data systems, and will also examine the India-funded ILO initiative on an international reference classification of occupations and its potential contribution to skills comparability and cooperation across countries.

Webinar 2 - South-South Partnerships for Skills Transformation: TVET, Industry and Entrepreneurship

Sharing innovative approaches to strengthening vocational education and training, apprenticeships and partnerships between training institutions and enterprises. Drawing on experiences from BRICS institutions and the wider Global South, the session will explore how SSTC can support skills development for technological transformation, productivity, entrepreneurship and MSME competitiveness, including opportunities for institution-to-institution cooperation.

Webinar 3 - South-South Pathways to Lifelong Learning: Skills Recognition and Inclusive Employability

Examining approaches to expanding access to skills development throughout working life, particularly for young people, women and informal economy workers. Discussions will address recognition of prior learning, qualifications frameworks, inclusive training pathways and practical opportunities for South-South and Triangular Cooperation between BRICS skills institutions.

Through ILO technical inputs, country experiences and facilitated South-South peer exchange, participants will:

• Discover practical skills development policies, tools and institutional innovations from BRICS countries and the wider Global South.
• Explore how skills systems can respond to technological change while promoting inclusive employability and lifelong learning.
• Identify transferable good practices and concrete opportunities for South-South and Triangular Cooperation between institutions.
• Strengthen connections between BRICS skills priorities, the 2026 Indian BRICS Presidency and relevant G20 skills agendas and knowledge networks.

hree interactive online webinars will combine ILO technical expertise, BRICS country experiences, participant good practices and facilitated peer learning. Each session will create opportunities to compare approaches, discuss implementation challenges, identify adaptable solutions and define practical areas for future SSTC.

The series will contribute to a shared collection of good practices, institutional contacts and potential cooperation opportunities, with knowledge resources made available through the South-South Meeting Point. Where appropriate, the exchanges will help connect BRICS experiences with wider G20 and Global South knowledge-sharing processes on skills and lifelong learning.

Organised by the ILO Emerging and Special Partnerships Unit and the International Training Centre of the ILO (ITCILO), the series supports South-South and Triangular Cooperation and continuity across the Brazil-India-China BRICS presidencies. In 2026, it will provide a practical knowledge platform aligned with the Indian BRICS Presidency, while encouraging dialogue and synergies with relevant G20 skills priorities and cooperation mechanisms.