Many ASEAN nations suffer from a lack of skilled workers and this is slowing economic growth as well as the development of industry and society. To tackle this issue, 60 experts from six ASEAN member states, facilitated by GIZ, developed a common standard for in-company trainers in 2015. The purpose of the “Standard for In-Company Trainers in ASEAN Countries” is to promote the contributions of the private sector in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) delivery and human capacity development, and to enhance the quality of training conducted in companies.

To ensure that trainers are able to conduct in-company training effectively across the region, ASEAN countries need to adapt the standard to their national requirements, set up national quality assurance systems, and implement training courses for in-company trainers. The qualification of regional Master Trainers, who can conduct in-company trainer training at the national level based on the developed standard and curriculum, is a crucial component of this work.

The Regional Cooperation Programme to Improve the Quality and Labour Market Orientation of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (RECOTVET) is therefore continuing the implementation of three-week Master Trainer trainings. Previous trainings have been conducted in Vientiane (Lao PDR), Manila (Philippines), and Dongnai (Viet Nam), in close cooperation with GIZ’s bilateral TVET programmes in Southeast Asia and their partners.

The 4^th Master Trainer training was jointly conducted with HRD Korea at its Global Institute for Transferring Skills (GIFTS) Centre in Incheon from 7 to 25 August 2017. Similar to previous trainings, the Master Trainer training followed the approach, curriculum and training guidelines of the Standard for In-Company Trainers in ASEAN Countries. Utilising an action-oriented training approach, participants were given the opportunity to actively learn and practice different types of training techniques. The training also focused on the actual application of training techniques in different contexts, thus ensuring that the Master Trainers will be able to cater their own training to the specific needs of participants in their countries.

A unique feature of the training was the diversity of the group, with participants hailing from eight different ASEAN countries (Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam) and trainers from Germany and South Korea. This made the training valuable not just in terms of the training input, but also in the exchange of information and experiences among participants.

“It was a great 20 days because we made diversity work for us through fun activities, understanding, collaboration and cooperation,” commented Mr. Gabriel D. Orendain, a participant from the Philippines.