The RECI-FoBBIZ Skills & Lifelong Learning (SLL) Working Group invites you to join us to discuss a core challenge in vocational education and training (VET): how can we help young people and adults with limited schooling and low literacy levels access VET?
Combining literacy pathways with VET is often considered in developing contexts. But even in Switzerland, this issue is relevant. In fact, the latest Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) Strategy 2025–28 emphasises vocational education beyond basic schooling, making the integration of foundational and vocational skills both a practical concern and a strategic priority.
This webinar makes the case for embedding basic literacy skills directly within VET systems. The session will present practical recommendations for project design, drawing on academic research and insights from three Swiss-funded programs in Africa – Enfants du Monde (Chad), Swisscontact (Niger), and Helvetas (Mozambique. Following this presentation, participants will be invited to share their reflections.
Attendees will receive a summary of key insights and resources for further exploration.
Target Audience
This event is open to the public and is recommended for anyone working with learners with low literacy skills. It is particularly relevant for TVET professionals, actors promoting the educational continuum, and inclusion experts. Additionally, donors and project managers working in peacebuilding and conflict prevention will find valuable insights for integrating foundational skills into broader development strategies.
Speaker
Cecilia Bianchi is a Socio-cultural Project Manager specialising in the inclusion of vulnerable groups. She has six years of experience working with a Swiss association that provides reading and writing courses for adults with a migrant background and limited schooling. Her presentation draws on research conducted for her Master’s thesis in Management of Development at ITCILO.
