Skills futures in Africa

McGrath, S. (2022) Skills futures in Africa. Prospects, 52(3-4), pp. 325-341. (doi: 10.1007/s11125-022-09622-9)

Abstract

The UNESCO International Commission on the Futures of Education imagines a positive future in which skills development can be harnessed for the benefits of people and planet, in line with the loftiest vision of the Sustainable Development Goals. However, skills systems often remain marginalized within educational debates and plans, with vocational learning often dismissed as low quality and low status. Reflecting on the work done for the commission on future skills, this article considers the nature of the challenges of the present in building better skills futures for Africa. It argues that we must be clear-sighted regarding the failings of past theory and practice if, together, we are to construct better futures for learning, working, and living. Only then can we develop institutions, programmes, and curricula that can meet the challenges and realize the opportunities of the future.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: McGrath, Professor Simon
• Authors: McGrath, S.
• Subjects: L Education > LB Theory and practice of education
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Education
• Journal Name: Prospects
• Publisher: Springer
• ISSN: 0033-1538
• ISSN (Online): 1573-9090
• Published Online: 20 October 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 The Author
• First Published: First published in Prospects 52(3-4): 325-341
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons license