Skills Policy Lab
Skills Policy Lab
Skills and Lifelong Learning Policies for Transformation and Resilience
26 Ottobre–20 Novembre 2026
Il corso è disponibile in English
Key features
Global Expert Dialogue
Exchange experiences and perspectives with policymakers, social partners and international specialists from the ILO and ITCILO in a unique learning environment
Action-Orientated Capacity Building
Experience participative learning through case studies, group activities and simulations, to promote application in real world contexts
Blended Training Experience
Combine online interactive learning with a dynamic face-to-face experience at ITCILO campus
Presentazione del corso
Digitalization and artificial intelligence, the green transition, demographic change and recurrent economic shocks are reshaping jobs and skills. Yet national skills policies are often fragmented across education, employment, economic and social policy, limiting their capacity to anticipate change, support inclusive transitions and respond to the needs of workers and enterprises.
The Skills Policy Lab is an ITCILO blended course for professionals who design, coordinate, finance or influence skills and lifelong learning policies. Three facilitated online modules enable participants to examine the evolution of national skills systems, assess the implications of major transitions and define a priority policy problem from their own country, sector or institution. During a five-day face-to-face policy lab at the ITCILO campus in Turin, participants apply skills foresight, stakeholder analysis, policy-option appraisal and stress-testing methods to move from diagnosis to action.
Drawing on recent ILO research, international labour standards, comparative country experience and peer exchange, they develop and communicate a context-specific policy brief or policy options paper. The course strengthens participants' capacity to build coherent, inclusive and resilient skills systems that support decent work, productivity and sustainable economic transformation.
Chi si iscrive a questo corso?
The Skills Policy Lab is designed for:
- Senior government officials from ministries of employment, labour, TVET, education, economy, finance and planning, and related line ministries.
- Representatives of workers' and employers' organizations.
- Skills system representatives including public and private TVET leaders, regional or provincial ministries responsible for skills provision, apprenticeship providers, skills funding bodies and Sector Skills Bodies.
- Technical experts and staff from development partners working on skills, employment, or wider policy domains such as environment, trade, or migration where skills have been identified as key to delivering national objectives.
The participation of full tripartite country delegations (government, workers and employers) is strongly encouraged to support integrated dialogue and policy coherence. ITC ILO promotes the equal participation of women and men and the inclusion of individuals with disabilities.
What will I learn?
Through the interactive online and face-to-face learning experience at ITCILO campus, participants will develop their knowledge of skills and lifelong learning policies in international practice, and will learn to apply analytical tools, models and case study learning in their national context.
After this course, participants will be able to:
- Analyse emerging global trends and assess their implications for national skills policy
- Evaluate the coherence and responsiveness of a national skills and lifelong learning system;
- Apply future foresight methodologies to anticipate emerging skills requirements
- Identify priority transitions and their implications for different groups of workers and enterprises;
- Formulate and analyse skills policy problems
- Develop and evaluate the feasibility of policy options; and
- Prepare and communicate implementable skills policy proposals
Why choose this course?
- From evidence to policy action: Develop a policy response to a real national or institutional challenge
- Skills foresight and stress testing: Use practical methods to anticipate change, compare policy options and test their readiness for implementation
- International tripartite peer exchange: Work with policymakers, employers’ and workers’ representatives, practitioners and ILO specialists from different national contexts
Course content and methodology
ONLINE , THROUGH ITCILO ECAMPUS PLATFORM ( 26 OCTOBER – 13 NOVEMBER )
Module 1: Skills systems, lifelong learning and the evolving policy context
Participants examine how national skills policies are evolving from a primary focus on TVET provision towards coherent lifelong learning systems connecting education, the world of work and wider societal learning.
Module 2: Future-ready skills policies for transitions and resilience
Participants consider how digitalization and artificial intelligence, the green transition, demographic change, geopolitical developments and economic shocks are reshaping jobs and skills.
Module 3: Comparative policy analysis and preparation for the Skills Policy Lab
Participants consolidate their learning through comparative case analysis and prepare a priority policy challenge for the face-to-face Policy Lab.
FACE -TO - FACE AT ITCILO CAMPUS IN TURIN, ITALY ( 16 – 20 NOVEMBER )
The five-day Policy Lab provides a supported, step-by-step process for turning a policy challenge into a practical and well-structured proposal.
The Policy Lab approach facilitates participants to work on a challenge from their own country, sector or institution while also benefiting from small-group collaboration and international peer exchange. They will apply accessible policy-development tools to:
- Clarify the policy problem and identify the people, institutions and interests involved;
- Apply future foresight methodologies to consider emerging trends and alternative futures;
- Develop a realistic and inclusive vision for change;
- Generate and compare policy options against agreed criteria;
- Examine governance, financing and implementation requirements;
- Stress-test proposals using stakeholder analysis, scenario-based “wind tunnelling”, and agreed inclusion and just transition criteria
- Formulate and communicate a concise policy brief or policy options paper.
The Policy Lab combines expert inputs, country exchange, facilitated group work, simulations, policy appraisal tools, peer feedback and individual coaching. International examples are used to illuminate choices and trade-offs rather than prescribe a single model.
Final Assignment and Certification
Following guidance from the Policy Lab workshop, each participant will complete an individual policy brief or policy options paper.
Participants who complete the required online activities and assessments, participate in the face-to-face Skills Policy Lab and submit a satisfactory final assignment will receive an ITCILO Certificate of Achievement.
Develop coherent skills and lifelong learning policies using ILO evidence, policy foresight, peer exchange and an applied policy lab in Turin.
Common questions
How is the blended course structured?
The course begins with three facilitated online modules, including digital learning content, selected readings, structured assignments and live webinars. It is followed by a five-day face-to-face Skills Policy Lab in Turin and an individual final assignment.
Do I need previous experience in skills policy?
Professional experience in the fields of skills development, TVET, employment, education, economic development, social policy or a related area is recommended. Participants should be able to identify and discuss skills policy challenges from their own professional context.
How much time should I dedicate to the course?
The course requires approximately 80 learning hours consisting of:
- 10 hours per online module, which includes one 90 minute webinar
- full-time attendance requirements in Turin (40 hours)
- 10 hours estimated time for the final assignment.
Is attendance at the live webinars mandatory?
Attendance at the live webinars is encouraged, however in the event of a conflicting schedule, webinars will be recorded and can be accessed for one week after the live sessions
Is attendance at the face-to-face workshop required?
Yes. The residential Skills Policy Lab is an integral part of the blended course and requires full participation in the scheduled workshop activities in Turin. Applicants should ensure that they are able to travel and attend before confirming their participation.
Will I receive an ITCILO certificate?
Participants who complete the required online activities and assessments, participate in the face-to-face Skills Policy Lab and submit a satisfactory final assignment will receive an ITCILO Certificate of Achievement.
What is the course fee and how can I pay?
The course fee is indicated on the course information page. Detailed payment instructions will be provided during the registration process. More on cancellation here.
Can my employer or organization sponsor my participation?
Yes. Many participants are sponsored by their employer, institution, development partner, or donor organization. Supporting documentation needs to be provided during the application process.
Are scholarships available?
A limited number of scholarships may be available for selected courses. Scholarships are awarded through a competitive selection process based on the information provided in the application, eligibility criteria and available funding. To be considered for a scholarship, applicants need to submit their registration.
