In 2015, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Community (AEC) is set to launch, transforming ASEAN into a region with free movement of goods, services, investment, skilled labor and capital. The AEC Blueprint highlights the need for increased mobility of persons as ASEAN becomes more interconnected with a greater exchange of skilled labor. ASEAN member states have agreed to create a standardized system to measure professional education and experiences obtained in eight priority sectors – architectural services, surveying, medicine, nursing, dental services, engineering, accounting and tourism. Developing and implementing national qualification frameworks would allow workers in these sectors to transfer jobs within the ASEAN countries.
USAID and the International Organization for Migration support ASEAN’s senior labor officials to address the varied and limited levels of workers’ ability, preparedness and industry coordination that exist among ASEAN member states. Challenges remain in coordinating, collecting and distributing labor market information. Project activities are expected to increase availability and accessibility of labor market information to governments, employers and workers. This information enables workers to meet labor demand and provide economic opportunity for ASEAN citizens in the regional labor market. An integrated market also supports companies operating in the region by narrowing the gap among skilled workers and by providing a harmonized method of comparing skills and qualifications. All of these factors promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
INCREASING MOBILITY OF SKILLED LABOR
Collaborative forums bring together officials from the labor, economic and education sectors to discuss priority actions and generate close coordination in moving toward increased mobility of skilled labor.
EMPOWERING ASEAN MEMBER STATES
The project supports government officials in the ASEAN member states to develop strategies and policies to effectively manage the movement of highly skilled professionals, and collect, share and utilize labor market information to create a freer flow of skilled labor.
CREATING SKILLS STANDARDS
The project holds technical consultations to promote a standard skills and qualification system that is recognized by ASEAN governments, professional associations and the private sector.
SHARING ASEAN LABOR MARKET INFORMATION
To improve information sharing, the project researches how the European Union and other regions share labor market reports. The project analyzes the labor market in all 10 ASEAN member states and supports developing an online portal to effectively share the information collected.
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