Title: Vocational Training and Skills Development

Authors: Mr. Franz Probst, Prof. Dr. Barbara Haering and Mr. Ken Duncan

Abstract
This article argues that economic development in the Global South is essential to addressing the challenges of large-scale international migration. The experience of Africa and India illustrates how migration and urbanisation can together contribute to economic and social development and, in so doing, act as a brake on irregular migration to the Global North. It is therefore in the interests of countries in the North and South alike to facilitate such development.

To do so, greater investment is required in education and skills training, especially for youth. The artisanal and intermediate-level technical skills required by the manufacturing and light engineering industries should be prioritised as a foundation for broader economic development.

Such skills are best acquired through vocational education and training programmes that employers help to design, finance, and implement, and that make extensive use of training through productive work. Large-scale projects have already demonstrated how such training can be organised and implemented effectively.

Free Global Cities are well placed to provide this kind of training and to benefit quickly from it.

Keywords
South-South migration; Impact of urbanisation; Benefits of immigration; Skills training for migrants; Market-driven VET; Role of employers; Work-based training; Benefits of VET to Free Global Cities; Free Global Cities; Free Global City