Guidelines for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and skills systems on preventing and eliminating violence and harassment

The ILO holds a strong commitment to preventing and eliminating violence and harassment in the world of work for all - a commitment reinforced by ILO constituents in the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190) and its accompanying Recommendation (No. 206).  With these guidelines, the ILO is aiming to transform this commitment into a tangible reality for all learners and skills development staff.

Skills systems are catalysts for skilling, upskilling, and reskilling workers of all ages, ensuring they are equipped for the challenges of the future. The ILO recognizes that learners and young workers, and especially young women, are disproportionally exposed to instances of violence and harassment. They, and all other learners, need safe, healthy and inclusive learning and training environments to ensure both quality learning and successful transitions to employment. TVET and skills providers are not just educators but also employers concerned with the well-being of their staff. Preventing and eliminating violence and harassment increases employees’ safety and can positively impact workers and skills development providers in decreasing absenteeism, turnover of staff, and resources needed towards investigations and mitigating measures.

These guidelines are designed to support all stakeholders in TVET and skills systems, including governments, employers’ and workers’ organisations, to champion inclusive, safe and healthy learning environments. They offer actionable strategies, checklists and campaign material to guide TVET managers and other actors on how to best protect learners, trainers, staff, and all those involved in skills development systems from all forms of violence and harassment.