Linking Labor Mobility and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)

This paper explores how linking international labor mobility and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) can enhance the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and developmental impact of donor and government investments in skills development. In the context of shrinking global aid budgets and persistent skills shortages in low-, middle-, and high-income countries, we argue that linking labor mobility and TVET (particularly in skills relevant to the green transition) can deliver a “triple win”: improving employment outcomes for trainees; filling critical labor gaps in countries of destination; and strengthening TVET institutions in countries of origin. Drawing on evidence from existing initiatives, this paper identifies two broad, non-mutually exclusive, approaches for linking labor mobility and TVET: (1) aligning training content and quality with employer needs; and (2) recognizing qualifications or certifications, through mechanisms such as mutual recognition processes and international accreditation. Complementary measures—including language training, cultural orientation, and sustainable financing models—are also examined. This paper discusses how this linkage can increase TVET placement rates, improve institutional quality, attract investment, and expand opportunities for disadvantaged groups, including refugees. It also outlines how best to leverage these impacts by working with existing high-performing TVET providers to build successful, sustainable talent pipelines as a pathway to scale.