SKILLS FAIR ON QUALITY APPRENTICESHIPS

The Programme Manager for the Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV) at the International Training Center of the International Labour Organisation (ITCILO), Vera dos Santos Costa has created, designed and managed many education and communication programmes on capacity building development and economic and social issues. Vera uses her experience in trade union education at multinational level to contribute to the ITCILO ACTRAV education objectives and wider influence. Vera has a Bachelor degree in Political Science, a Master’s in Human Resources Management and Organisational Dynamics, and holds a Teaching degree in Political, Economic and Social Sciences. After a career of almost twenty years as International and European Affairs Secretary in a Belgian trade union, Vera was for six years the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) Director of the Education Department. An innovative learning and training driven trade union education manager with social justice as main objective. 

Paolo Salvai is the Manager of the Programme for Employers Activities at the International Training Centre of the ILO.

He has been working for the ILO and ITCILO for 17 years: he started off at the ITCILO in Turin in 2007, then he served in Geneva (ILO HQ), Lima (Regional Office for Latin America), Yangon (ILO Liaison Office), and more recently in Beirut (Regional Office for the Arab States). He has joined back the ITCILO in February 2023.

Paolo has a profound knowledge on roles, governance and functioning of Employers and Business Membership Organizations (EBMOs). In his different functions, he has been in charge of managing capacity-building projects for EBMOs development across five continents.

He is an expert in adult training, management consulting, resource mobilization and project design. He has contributed as co-author to training modules, research papers, guides and publications in the areas of management of Employers' and Business Membership Organizations, productivity and wage policies, conducive environment for sustainable enterprises and Business Development Services.

Paolo holds a MSc in Economics from Consortium for Research and Continuing Education and a MSc in International Relations with a specialization in Economic Development and Aid from Turin University.

Claire La Hovary is Senior Specialist on International Labour Standards and Legal Issues at the ILO Bureau for Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV). She was supporting the workers’ group in the adoption of Recommendation No. 208 on Quality Apprenticeships.

Amadou Sako is the Regional Adviser & Project Officer for Africa at the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), the largest network of the private sector in the world, with more than 150 member organizations, representing over 50 million companies in 140 countries. In addition to coordinating the engagement of African employers within the International Labour Organization (ILO), he works on building strategic partnerships between international stakeholders and the private sector in Africa, as well as promoting African private sector actors’ cooperation. 

Amadou Sako advises IOE’s secretariat, members, and partners on policies & practices related to informality, trade, youth employment & entrepreneurship, and has a strong interest in digital solutions and renewable energy.

He also coordinates the Tech@Work project, a partnership between Microsoft and IOE, aiming at upskilling 20,000 young Africans in Senegal, Uganda, Lesotho, and RDC with digital and soft skills.

Marília Agostinho Mendes est chargée de mission pour le syndicat suisse Unia, où elle s'occupe des questions liées à la migration et aux affaires internationales. Ses principaux thèmes sont les lois sur l'immigration, la mobilité des citoyens de l'UE et la reconnaissance des qualifications étrangères. Elle a enseigné la langue et la littérature portugaises, entre autres, à l'université de Zurich. Elle est présidente d'une association qui conseille et soutient les jeunes sur le chemin de l'école vers la formation professionnelle et le travail.

Mr Ahmed Salem is the Director of Education Affairs Administration at GDDS-ATS, MoETE. He is apassionate educator and leader in work-based learning, with extensive experience in the MoETE in Egypt and played a pivotal role in shaping the Dual Education and Training System. As Head of the Education Affairs Administration, Mr Salem leverage my expertise to manage educational programs and collaborate with industry stakeholders, service providers and development partners. 

Sara Ciet, 41 years old, Italian. She graduated in Political Sciences and International Cooperation at Bologna University in 2007, with one year Erasmus exchange at ""Institut des sciences politiques"" in Aix-en-Provence, France in 2005. 

Sara experienced both private companies and public bodies, in the field of sustainable tourism and human rights. Among others, she worked in Paris for ATES and in Brussels for the NGO “Terre des Hommes”. 

Sara believes in the power of education to transform lives and society through international learning mobility, for this reason since 2014 she has worked in Uniser. 

Uniser is an italian cooperative active in 10 countries, with a staff of 60 professional workers supporting colleges, schools and training centers in their process of internationalization and the organization of 3.000 mobilities every year.

Cícero is Brazilian, accountant and professional actor. In 1990 he entered the real estate market and two years later he was elected member of the board of SEMIRGS - Union of Real Estate Employees of the State of Rio Grande do Sul. In this union he held the positions of General Secretary, President and Treasurer. He is also director of the National Confederation of Tourism and Hotel Workers (CONTRATUH), director of the UGT - General Union of Workers of Brazil, in addition to other workers' representations such as the CSCCS - Coordination of Trade Union Centrals of the Southern Cone, until in 2019 he enters the Secretariat of the CSA Trade Union Confederation of the Americas where he holds the position of Secretary of Training and Education.

Gary Workman is the Executive Director of the Apprenticeship Employment Network, which represents not for profit group training organisations. Within Victoria group training organisations employ over 7000 apprentices and trainees across all sectors of industry through a large network of host employers. Gary assumed the role in 2009 and leads AEN and its members on public policy, government projects and research activities, including overseeing relationships with a wide range of industry and government stakeholders. 

In 2018 AEN joined the Global Apprenticeship Network as the Australian network member – one of 17 countries. GAN brings organisations together to highlight best practice in youth employment through workplace training and career development and in June 2023 supported the establishment of the Quality Apprenticeships framework through the ILO.

Gary brings over 20 years’ experience in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector and has worked on numerous government initiatives in the areas of workforce development, apprenticeships, OH&S, COVID and economic response and the environment.

He was a member of the Victorian Governments Apprenticeship Taskforce between 2016-2019 through the Victorian Skills Commission Office and is a current Board director of the VET Development Centre and a member of the Victorian Governments 2023-24 Apprenticeship Taskforce on Apprenticeship safety. 

Ramona David is an Expert at Cedefop and the Coordinator of the Department for Learning and Employability. Her main areas of research are apprenticeships, adult learning and migration with special focus on refugee support and integration through VET, skills and qualifications. Previous to working for Cedefop, she worked as a consultant on various international development projects for economic and social development. She holds a master degree in international relations from the University of Bucharest, Romania.

A graduate of the Ecole Nationale d'Administration (ENA), Mikaël Hautchamp began his career at the Inspection générale des affaires sociales from 2002 to 2006. He was then appointed deputy general administrator of the Château de Versailles, then deputy general director of the Bibliothèque nationale de France. He was appointed Cultural Advisor in Athens in 2015, then Minister-Counselor for Cultural, Educational and Scientific Affairs in Beijing in 2019. Inspector General at the General Inspectorate of Social Affairs since 2022. Author of a report on the international mobility of apprentices and member of the delegation for France at the negotiation of the ILO recommendation on quality apprenticeships (Geneva, June 2023). Specialized in labor, employment, vocational training and human resources management issues.

Patrick Daru is the Team Lead on Skills Delivery of the ILO Skills and Employability Branch. He was until 2020 the ILO Senior Skills and Employability Specialist for the Regional Office for Arab States, for more than eight years, and the Country Coordinator for Jordan for over four years. He previously managed the largest ILO project on youth employment in the Asia-Pacific region. In the early 2000’s, he managed two ILO regional projects on forced labour in South Asia and child labour in Eastern Europe, aiming at increasing the capabilities of at-risk populations. For 10 years before joining the ILO, he managed large scale projects related to forced displacement in former Yugoslavia, the great lakes region, and the Commonwealth of Independent States, with a strong focus on skills development. He has contributed to and coordinated the publication of numerous ILO research papers and manuals.

After 20 years' professional experience in the social sector and vocational integration, and a trade unionist for 10 years, I have currently been an employee of the CGT confederation since 2019 on the subjects of vocational training and apprenticeships. In this capacity, I took part in the two years of negotiations that led to Recommendation 208 on quality apprenticeships, which will be discussed at the Turin fair.

Tamás Várnai is policy officer for apprenticeships at the European Commission that he joined in 2006. After spending 5 years at the Directorate-General for Development in the field of social policies in development cooperation, he joined DG Employment in 2011. He was involved in the establishment of the Youth Guarantee and the Quality Framework for Traineeships. Since 2017 he has been responsible among others for the European Alliance for Apprenticeships and the European Framework for Quality and Effective Apprenticeships.

Gideon Murenga brings over 14 years of extensive experience within the TVET and skills development ecosystem. In his current role as the Senior TVET and Labour Markets Advisor for the Youth Employment and Vocational Training Project at GIZ in Kenya, he has demonstrated a profound understanding of the sector's intricacies. His wealth of experience encompasses the successful implementation of TVET projects, particularly with a specialization in the design of skills development programs, and a notable focus on the nuanced aspects of Dual TVET projects. His current position underscores his commitment to youth empowerment and vocational training in Kenya, positioning him as a key player in shaping policies and programs that address the challenges of the evolving world of work. His significant tenure and strategic role makes him an invaluable contributor to discussions at the Skills Fair, enriching the dialogue with practical insights, successful case studies, and a forward-looking vision for the future of apprenticeships and skills development.

Mr. Douglas Opio, The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Federation of Uganda 

Employers (FUE)-Biography.

Education

• Master of Business Administration-International Business (Human Resource), 

Amity University, India

• Bachelor of Development Studies, Makerere University

• Diploma in Private Sector Growth, SIDA’s International Training Programme, 

Sweden

• Diploma in Education Secondary, Kyambogo University

Professional Background

• The Chief Executive Officer, Federation of Uganda Employers (FUE)

• Board Member, Presidential CEO Forum

• Technical Advisor, East Africa Employers Organisation (EAEO)

• Chair, ILO Global Business Network on Forced Labour

• Co-Chair, TVET Policy Implementation Working Group, MoES

• President, Rural Agri-business Incubator Support Enterprise (RAISE) Limited

• Chairperson, Rural Research and Development Innovations (RREADI)

• Board Treasurer, Save for Health Uganda

• Manager, Wage Indicator Project

• Guest Lecturer, Kyambogo University

• Former Head of Policy and Research, FUE

• Former Member, Industrial Training Council

• Former Teacher, Amuca SDA Secondary School-Lira

Membership, Awards and Accolades

• Recognition by ILO for the promotion of youth entrepreneurship in Uganda

• Member-National Health Insurance Scheme Task Force

• 2014 Uganda Representative at the 1st Global Forum on Youth Policie

Dr Bernd Mueller is the Manager of the Employment Policy and Analysis Programme (EPAP) at the ILO’s International Training Centre in Turin. In this role he manages the ITC’s portfolio of capacity development services to constituents and partners worldwide in the fields of employment promotion, skills development, labour market statistics and analysis, transition to formality, among others.

Previously, Bernd was the Senior Employment Specialist at the ILO Decent Work Team for Eastern and Southern Africa, where he supported tripartite constituents in the formulation and implementation of employment policies and the promotion of youth employment. He also was the ILO’s Africa-wide focal point on employment matters. Before that he has been rural employment specialist at the FAO, and pursued an academic career as teacher and researcher on employment and labour markets at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.

Maria Tsirantonaki is Policy Advisor in the Equality department of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). She works on policy advocacy, campaigns and programmes aiming at advancing economic and social justice for women, young workers, LGBTI+ workers, workers with disabilities and other workers affected by multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination at work and in society. She is also coordinating the ITUC Global Women in Leadership programme and the ITUC Youth Committee. The ITUC Equality department is spearheading the #RatifyC190 campaign as well as the #InvestInCare campaign of the ITUC.  

Patrick Daru is the Team Lead on Skills Delivery of the ILO Skills and Employability Branch. He was until 2020 the ILO Senior Skills and Employability Specialist for the Regional Office for Arab States, for more than eight years, and the Country Coordinator for Jordan for over four years. He previously managed the largest ILO project on youth employment in the Asia-Pacific region. In the early 2000’s, he managed two ILO regional projects on forced labour in South Asia and child labour in Eastern Europe, aiming at increasing the capabilities of at-risk populations. For 10 years before joining the ILO, he managed large scale projects related to forced displacement in former Yugoslavia, the great lakes region, and the Commonwealth of Independent States, with a strong focus on skills development. He has contributed to and coordinated the publication of numerous ILO research papers and manuals.

Martin Wandera is a social and labour economist. He is the Director of Labour, Employment and Occupational Safety and Health at the Ministry of Gender, labour and Social Development of the Republic of Uganda. He is responsible for the development and implementation of labour and employment policy. He oversaw the development of Uganda’s National Apprenticeship Framework and also actively participated in the double International Labour Conference discussions that preceded the adoption of ILO Quality Apprenticeships Recommendation, 2023 (No. 208)

Martin’s academic preparation includes:

• A Master of Science in Applied Labour Economics for Development of the University of Turin, Italy

• Master of Labour Economics of the Paris Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po), France

• A Master of Economic Development (Social Economy and Labour Concentration) of the State University of Campinas, Sao Paolo, Brazil

• A Bachelor of Arts Social Sciences (Economics and Political Science) of Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda

Stefano Merante is the Manager of the CATALYST initiative of the International Training Centre of the ILO in Turin (Italy).

He works in the field of cooperation for development since 2005. After a brief experience in Latin America, he has managed international cooperation and technical assistance programmes and projects in different countries of English-speaking and French-speaking Sub-Saharan Africa, before joining the ITCILO in 2019.

Training engineer and program manager, he has specific competencies and experience in adult education, skills development and child protection. He holds a Master’s degree in Training and Employment Systems Design at the ENSFEA (Toulouse, France), a Master’s degree in International Cooperation for Development at the IUSS - School for Advanced Studies of Pavia (Italy) and a Master’s Degree in Humanities at the State University of Milan (Italy).

Chris Roberts is the National Director of the Social and Economic Policy Department of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), Canada’s largest central labour body. He is responsible for research and policy advice in the areas of skills training, workforce development and apprenticeships. Chris represents the CLC in a variety of federal government policy advisory tables and consultative bodies on skills development, apprenticeships and labour-market programming. Prior to working in the labour movement, he was an instructor in the Work and Labour Studies Program at York University in Toronto, where he obtained his Ph.D. (2003).

Stefan Thomas is a Senior Human Capital Development Expert at the European Training Foundation (ETF) in Turin, Italy. The ETF’s mission is to help transition and developing countries to harness the potential of their human capital through the reform of education, training and labour market systems in the context of the EU's external relations policy. Stefan’s responsibilities at the ETF include working with governments, social partners, international organisations and development agencies to improve work-based learning and apprenticeship systems. Centres of Vocational Excellence is another focus of his work at the ETF. 

Moussa YACOUBOU, a Beninese national, holds a Master's degree in Project Management, a DEA in Socio-Antropology, and is currently defending a doctoral thesis on dual apprenticeship in Benin. 

From 2014 to 2017, Executive Secretary of FODEFCA. During the same period, he was Vice-Chairman of RAFPRO. 

From 2019 to 2021, member of a Mission d'appui à la structuration et au pilotage du FMFP.

 August-October 2021, Moussa carried out a mission on the feasibility study of the FMFP Support Project.

Since 2022, member, expert/country of the Pole Qualité Interpays Développement de Compétences Techniques et Professionnelles dans l'espace UEMOA-Tchad (PQIP/DCTP).

In February 2023, member of the technical preparatory committee and participant in the workshop ""Strengthening vocational learning systems in Africa's informal economy to promote quality, innovation and transitions to formality"" organized by ADET and ILO in Cotonou, Benin.

Moussa YACOUBOU is currently in Madagascar on a technical assistance mission as part of the FMFP-AFD-financed structuring of vocational training in the informal sector.

Mergim Jahiu is an expert in VET with professional experience focusing on international cooperation in the field vocational skills developpement.

 His past experiences include positions in the Skills and Empoyability Branch of the ILO, in Switzerland at federal level at the State Secretariate for Education, Research and Innovation SERI as well as at cantonal level in Geneva office for orientation, vocational and continuing education and training. 

 In his various positions, he has gathered experience in policy and implementation of VET and Skills developpment in Switzerland as well as in partner countries. He has been active as an international consultant and project manager with specific expertise in the developpement of the dual model of vocational education and training (incl. policy reforms and implementation, public-private partnerships, curriculum development, teacher and instructor training). Since 2022, he is the selected Swiss member to CEDEFOP’s community of apprenticeship experts. 

 In addition to various coutinous trainings in Skills developpement, Mergim Jahiu holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Geneva, Switzerland, as well as a Master’s degree in Public International Law from the University of Maastricht, the Netherlands.

Prior to her position at GIZ, Ms. Ulrike Schmidt has been contributing to educational research projects at the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning and the Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg. After her graduation as M.Sc./M.A in “International Vocational Education” she got involved as technical advisor in GIZ TVET projects in Asia, Europe and Africa. Her work focuses on planning, coordination and guidance of skills development processes and activities for TVET personnel as well as on strengthening dual structures of occupational training, including the support to public private partnerships. During her long-term assignment in Ghana in 2022 she was furthermore engaged in TVET project development and management support.

Kennedy Rwehumbiza serves as the Head of Research and Policy Advocacy at the Association of Tanzania Employers (ATE), an organization founded over 60 years ago to safeguard employers' interests on employment and labor-related issues. As an economist and expert in private sector development, Kennedy brings over 6 years of experience, with previous roles including Policy Analyst and Private Sector Fiscal Reforms Lead at the Tanzania Private Sector Foundation. In these positions, he coordinated private sector involvement in national fiscal policy reforms. 

Kennedy is recognized for his contributions, such as representing the private sector in discussions of tax reforms by the Taskforce on Tax Reforms and the Parliamentary Budget Committee. His efforts aimed to establish a supportive fiscal environment to boost private sector engagement in economic growth, development, and the generation of job opportunities for Tanzania's expanding workforce. 

He is an alumnus of Makerere University (Uganda), where he studied at the Faculty of Economics and Management, and the University of Dar-es-salaam (Tanzania), where he attended the School of Economics.

Dr. Michael Jöhr earned his Ph.D. from the University of Zurich, focusing on the educational and career paths of vocational baccalaureate graduates. He holds a Master in International Management and a teaching diploma. Michael Jöhr has extensive teaching experience across different stages of education and currently directs a study program for vocational baccalaureate teachers at Swiss University for Vocational Education and Training SFUVET. His work aims to equip educators with skills to adapt to changing educational landscapes, emphasizing innovation and quality in teaching.

Director since 2016 of the ITS Academy Sustainable Mobility Foundation - Aerospace/Mechatronics Piedmont, he began his professional career immediately after graduating in Electronic Engineering from Turin Polytechnic in '89. In the same year he started his entrepreneurial activity in the IT field and participated as Italy's Blue Athlete in the WU-SHU World Games in China. 

Over the years he acquires highly specialized technical and professional skills in Europe, the United States, Canada, and Japan, and in 2018 he obtained certification as an APAFORM-qualified Facilities Managerial Trainer. He collaborates with Hoepli Editore, as an author of manuals on new technologies and those for installation and maintenance of mechatronic systems.

For twenty-five years he has worked for the Camerana School, of which he has also been Director since 2010. 

Emile Kossi N'GUISSAN is Inspector of Technical Education and Vocational Training, and has been Director of the Institut National de Formation et de Perfectionnement Professionnels (INFPP) since February 2021. 

In the new context of TVET development in Togo, the INFPP's main mission is to train the sub-sector's trainers. 

An expert in vocational and technical training and training engineering, Emile Kossi N'GUISSAN was previously; Secretary General of the Ministry of Technical Education, Vocational Training and Integration, then of the Ministry in charge of Technical Education and Handicrafts; Deputy Director of the INFPP; in charge of TVET programs at the Permanent Technical Secretariat of Togo's Education Sector Plan; TVET Inspector for the mechanical engineering speciality; Teacher in Togo's technical and vocational training establishments and centers.

Etienne Kabassima BARARMNA-GNALIMBA began his professional career in 2003 as a teacher in a regional technical and vocational training center, after completing university studies in language and communication sciences. 10 years later, he was promoted to the position of Censor of a technical and vocational high school, and a few years later became Principal of the same high school. 

His experience and capacity-building in managing and steering the ETFP system earned him an appointment as Deputy Director of Vocational Training and Apprenticeship, a central department responsible for coordinating the pedagogical and administrative activities of all public and private centers involved in vocational training and apprenticeship. 

Through continuing education, he obtained a diploma in training and employment systems engineering, and currently holds the position of Director of Vocational Training and Apprenticeship. Among other things, he is certified in pedagogical engineering in the competency-based approach by IFEF, in DaCUM methodology by the Canadian Association of Training Professionals and in andragogical engineering by GOPA. 

Olga Harms is a TVET specialist, who graduated with a M.Sc./M.A. degree in “International Vocational Education” in 2016. After 4 years as a research associate at the University in Magdeburg in the field of (international) TVET teacher education. She is currently working as technical advisor at Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) in TVET projects, so far for Bosnia and Herzegovina, China, Georgia, Jordan and Mongolia.

As team member of the GIZ TVET Academy of GIZ/UNEVOC Centre Magdeburg Olga Harms supports the portfolio development especially for strategic competence development of TVET teachers and instructors as well as Digitalisation in TVET.

Rhianwen is a Policy Officer for the University and College Union (UCU) in the UK.  UCU represents 120,000 academics, lecturers and staff in universities, colleges, prisons and adult education.  Her main policy focus is the college sector (age 16-18).  She has worked in policy and government affairs for 25-years, primarily in Westminster, also in Brussels and Cardiff.  Alongside her policy work, she taught in post-16 education for over 20-years.  She has an LLB degree in Law, has been called to the Bar and has an LLM degree in EU Law.  She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Stefano Merante is the Manager of the CATALYST initiative of the International Training Centre of the ILO in Turin (Italy).

He works in the field of cooperation for development since 2005. After a brief experience in Latin America, he has managed international cooperation and technical assistance programmes and projects in different countries of English-speaking and French-speaking Sub-Saharan Africa, before joining the ITCILO in 2019.

Training engineer and program manager, he has specific competencies and experience in adult education, skills development and child protection. He holds a Master’s degree in Training and Employment Systems Design at the ENSFEA (Toulouse, France), a Master’s degree in International Cooperation for Development at the IUSS - School for Advanced Studies of Pavia (Italy) and a Master’s Degree in Humanities at the State University of Milan (Italy).

Christine works as the Team Lead on Skills for Social Inclusion in the ILO’s Skills and Employability Branch in Geneva. She leads research and knowledge products and builds capacity on skills and lifelong learning approaches that promote equality, diversity, non-discrimination and inclusion. She supports ILO constituents around the world in strengthening TVET, skills development and recognition systems so that they cater better to people who face difficulties in accessing and participating in quality skills and lifelong learning – including apprentices in the informal economy.

Eulogia Familia is a member of the Press Workers Union (SNTP) and Vice-President with a focus on gender equity at the National Confederation of Trade Union Unity (CNUS), she coordinates the Intersyndical Committee of Working Women (CIMTRA-CASC-CNTD-CNUS). Eulogia is the Vice-President of the Advisory Trade Union Council (COSATE) of the OAS Ministers of Labor, contributing to the Economic and Social Council (CES), ILO Governing Body, and International Training Center (CIF/OIT). A former congresswoman, she led the Women Workers' Committee at CMTA/CSA and was Vice-President of the Women's Committee at CSI.

M. Davodoun is an economist specializing in continuous professional training systems, apprenticeship, and integration. As the driving force behind the Bureau d'appui aux Artisans, he has overseen numerous projects and played a key role in fostering the emergence and consolidation of initiatives to enhance traditional apprenticeship in Africa. With a portfolio of around twenty published works, he combines academic expertise with practical experience gained in ministerial cabinets and board management. Currently serving as the Deputy Secretary-General of the Chamber of Trades and Crafts and a member of the Consultative Assembly of the National Education Council in Benin.

Talal Hijazi is an esteemed leader in industrial development, currently serving as the General Manager at the Association of Lebanese Industrialists since 2017. In addition to his role, he holds the prestigious position of Vice President and Rapporteur of the Financial and Administrative Committee at the Arab Labor Organization since 2023. With a career spanning since 1997, Talal has been pivotal in numerous international projects supporting industrial sectors. Renowned for his expertise in quality management and process engineering, he champions global industrial growth. His leadership underscores a commitment to strategic development, efficiency, and international collaboration, marking him as a visionary force in the industrial landscape.

Eleonora Pantò is an education innovation expert at Fondazione Politecnico of Milano, fostering STEAM education in schools and open education as an ENCORE project partner. She spearheads initiatives on school inclusion, diversity, media literacy, and educational gaming. As Director of a Schools Association, she champions inclusion and STEAM education. Previously, she served as an assistant to the Deputy Mayor for education in Turin and coordinated a vocational education institution. She advocates for open education through Open Education Italia network. Her expertise lies in shaping inclusive and innovative educational practices, making significant contributions to both local and international educational landscapes.

I was born in Kindia, Republic of Guinea. I hold a degree in Electromechanical Engineering from the Gamal Abdel Nasser Polytechnic Institute in Conakry.

Holder of a diploma as a Technical Teacher following training and further education in Electrical Machines in the Federal Republic of Germany.

Experience in a number of positions

• Since 2023, Member of the Board of Directors at Ecole Normale des Professeurs d'Enseignement Professionnel et Technique (ENPEPT)
• From 19/04/2022, National Director of Public Technical Education and Vocational Training
• From 2011-2022, Head of the Secondary Technical Education Dvelopment Division at the Direction Nationale Enseignement Technique Formation Professionnelle Publique (DNETFPPu).
• From 2004-2011, Head of Section in charge of monitoring Training Institutions at DNFPT.
• 2003-2004, Electricity lecturer at CFP Maison d'Autriche de Lambanyi.
• 1986-2003, Electricity lecturer at the Centre de Formation Professionnelle de Donka Conakry (CFP), now CFP CAMARA Laye.

Christine works as the Team Lead on Skills for Social Inclusion in the ILO’s Skills and Employability Branch in Geneva. She leads research and knowledge products and builds capacity on skills and lifelong learning approaches that promote equality, diversity, non-discrimination and inclusion. She supports ILO constituents around the world in strengthening TVET, skills development and recognition systems so that they cater better to people who face difficulties in accessing and participating in quality skills and lifelong learning – including apprentices in the informal economy.

Fation Dragoshi is the Manager (2017 onwards) of Skills for Jobs in Albania, a project of the Swiss Agency  for Development and Cooperation (SDC), implemented by Swisscontact. Fation has over 20 years of working experience in Albania and internationally, mainly in the fields of youth empowerment, cultural mediation, skills development, employment promotion and policies. Prioir to Swisscontact, Fation worked with UNDP, ILO, IOM, UNICEF and the Ministry of Culture in Albania.

Vidyu is the Inclusion & Diversity Program Lead for Gender & Communities  Advanced Technology Centers India , Accenture India. She is an experienced I&D Program Lead and spearheads strategic and operational programs for gender and  communities’ initiatives, overseeing the entire process from design to execution. She played a crucial role as a key member in the design of the AARAMBH initiative.

Katherine Hall is the Executive Director of the Construction and Infrastructure Centre of Vocational Excellence, known as ConCOVE Tūhura. In this role Katherine brings together her expertise in vocational education, labour market interventions, research and strategic thought across an eclectic career spanning both central government and commercial enterprise.  

Known for her collabor-action focus, Katherine leads a passionate team tasked with reimagining vocational education for construction and infrastructure through industry-led, action research. ConCOVE has a particular focus on supporting four priority groups; Māori, Pasifika, women and Leaders as learners, to progress and thrive in the construction and infrastructure sector. 

Katherine holds a Master’s in Technological Futures. 

Currently the General Director of INFP since 2020 with qualifications in Management, Monitoring, and Evaluation of Projects (MDI/ISU), his expertise encompasses various leadership roles. He served as the CEO of "Don Bosco Technical Center" and previously held the position of Technical Director at SADEMA S.A./Culligan, Cap-Haïtien, from 1992 to 2000. Prior to that, he was the Chief of Works at the Professional School of Cap-Haitien from 2005 to 2020, following a significant tenure as a Professor of domestic and industrial electricity from 1984 to 2005.

Mervi Jansson,  CEO of Omnia Education Partnerships (OEP), Chair of VETQA Finland, has been a passionate developer of education and training for over 25 years.  She has worked on diverse national and international development and capacity building projects with public and private sector organizations and engaged in TVET excellence research with the European Training Foundation. Her recent work focuses on developing and measuring vocational excellence using a research-based model to assess how digitalization, greening and innovation are blended into the operational framework of TVET on both a system and provider level. 

Gary Workman is the Executive Director of the Apprenticeship Employment Network, which represents not for profit group training organisations. Within Victoria group training organisations employ over 7000 apprentices and trainees across all sectors of industry through a large network of host employers. Gary assumed the role in 2009 and leads AEN and its members on public policy, government projects and research activities, including overseeing relationships with a wide range of industry and government stakeholders. 

In 2018 AEN joined the Global Apprenticeship Network as the Australian network member – one of 17 countries. GAN brings organisations together to highlight best practice in youth employment through workplace training and career development and in June 2023 supported the establishment of the Quality Apprenticeships framework through the ILO.

Gary brings over 20 years’ experience in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector and has worked on numerous government initiatives in the areas of workforce development, apprenticeships, OH&S, COVID and economic response and the environment.

He was a member of the Victorian Governments Apprenticeship Taskforce between 2016-2019 through the Victorian Skills Commission Office and is a current Board director of the VET Development Centre and a member of the Victorian Governments 2023-24 Apprenticeship Taskforce on Apprenticeship safety. 

Dean Luciani is the Chief Executive Officer of Westvic Staffing Solutions, one of the largest providers of intermediary apprenticeship engagement in Australia. Based in regional Victoria, Dean’s vast experience in human resource management, coupled with an in-depth knowledge of current industrial relations law, places him at the forefront of VET sector reform. 

Dean’s background and qualifications include the implementation of ISO accredited quality management systems, quality auditing, corporate governance, and risk management. Having served on various Boards in the Education and Health sectors, Dean is also a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. 

As the Chair of GAN Australia, Dean is committed to raising the quality of the apprenticeship experience for both the individual and the employer. Dean was a member of the Federal Governments Apprentice Reform Advisory Group, representing the views of industry in the policy development process from a rural and regional perspective, and has spoken on the subject of community leadership at an OECD conference on engaging employers in skill development for the 21st century. In 2022, Dean was appointed to the global apprenticeship network board. Having commenced his working life as an apprentice in the engineering sector, Dean understands the importance of quality Vocational Education and Training pathways and remains a strong advocate for continuous development and lifelong learning.

Mirjana Kovacevic is Head of the Center for Education, Dual Education and Educational Policies at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS) and Director of the Chamber’s Business Academy. She is in charge of adult education, i.e. providing business sector with various relevant and based on companies needs training and courses, as well as implementation of dual VET system in Serbia. Previous analytical and research work experience at the Center for Scientific and Research Work of the CCIS helps her in analyzes and research of the Serbian labor market. She is Vice President of the Council for VET in Serbia and  Vice-President of the Commission for monitoring of dual VET, both bodies established by the Government of Serbia.

Sylvia Casaro Dietert has 15 years of experience working with collectively bargained training programs and developing partnerships to create and expand apprenticeships in the USA. She served as the Director of Industry Initiatives at Employ Prince George's, and directed workforce programs at the Community Services Agency of the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO. Ms. Dietert works for the AFL-CIO Working for America Institute, a non-profit national workforce intermediary dedicated to increasing the effectiveness of workforce systems. Ms. Dietert has a Master in Social Work, Planning, Policy and Administration from The Catholic University of America and lives in the Washington area.

Ms. Mbenoun is a senior Cameroonian civil servant, Senior Guidance Counsellor and Technical Adviser at the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training (MINEFOP). She has professional experience of over thirty (30) years in the service of the State, which has earned her numerous distinctions, the most recent being that of Officer of the Order of Valor (2021). Holder of a Master's degree in Education and a Bachelor's degree in Public Law, she has taken part in a number of seminars, colloquia and international meetings on vocational training engineering and apprenticeship. She is Coordinator of the Projet d'Appui au développement de l'Enseignement Secondaire et des Compétences pour la Croissance et l'Emploi (PADESCE) and of the Programme C2D-Formation, financed respectively by the World Bank and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD). 

Senior civil servant in the Cameroonian administration who has worked for over thirty (30) years in the educational sector as a Vocational Training Center Manager, Training Inspector, Employment Management and Professional Integration within the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training. 

Formation Professionnelle. Graduate of the Ecole Normale Supérieure de l'Enseignement Technique et Professionnelle (ENSET), Civil Engineering option. Member of several national education bodies and administrative boards. Member of the team in charge of setting up a certification framework for training standards for seafarers (STCW) and river, maritime and port trades.

A graduate in economic policy management (F.H.B d'Abidjan C.I. University) and education systems management (Senghor University, Alexandria), joined the civil service 20 years ago as a teacher before returning to the general administration of technical education and vocational training (ETFP) successively as studies officer, ETFP program manager and director of statistics, research and planning for the past 4 years. On a day-to-day basis, I deal with issues relating to the development of information systems, policies and strategies for ETFP, planning and monitoring-evaluation of ETFP actions and its relations with the labor market.

Julian Uehlecke was born in Wolfsburg, Germany in 1993. After completing an vocational training as a banker, he began studying social sciences at Leibniz University of Hanover in 2014. He then completed a master in work sociology at the university of Göttingen as a scholarship holder of the Hans-Böckler-Foundation. Afterwards, in 2022 he started working as a union secretary at DGB in Hanover before moving to the youth department at the DGB federal board as a political advisor for vocational training. The focus of his work is in the creation of the vocational training report and the political accompaniment of vocational training relevant topics.

Valentina Stoevska is a Senior Statistician in the Department of Statistics at the ILO. She has over 26 years of experience at the ILO, developing international statistical standards in labour statistics, and providing technical support to countries wishing to implement these standards. Since 2017 she has been leading the work on the development of international statistical guidelines on the measurement of and qualification and skill mismatches, development of statistical tools for measuring skills supply and demand, and conceptual framework for statistics on work-based learning. Before joining the ILO, Valentina worked for 8 years at the National Statistical Office of the Republic of North Macedonia.

Florencia Suau is Head of the Education Department of the Argentine Industrial Union and coordinator of GAN Argentina.

She is a sociologist and specialist in vocational training and work-based learning. She has worked professionally in the private and public sector in projects of training for work and strengthening the link between the productive and educational world.

He represents the Argentinean employer sector in international forums on vocational training. In 2023 she participated in the quality apprenticeship commission of the 111th ILO conference and was vice-president of the 46th CINTERFOR conference.

Senior Human Capital Development Expert and Coordinator for Active Labour Market Policies at the European Training Foundation, the European Union’s agency in charge with human capital development policies in the EU neighbouring regions www.etf.europa.eu My main responsibilities include (a) coordination of the project on active labour market policies and transition to work, including career guidance and work based learning; (b) advice to the EU neighbouring countries on the design, implementation and monitoring of EU Youth Guarantee-inspired schemes and skills development for youth and adults; and (c) research and capacity development in the areas of skills anticipation and matching; analysis of skills mismatches and measuring transition from school to work. 

Andreas Klemmer is the Director of Training of the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITCILO), a specialized UN agency with the mandate to promote Decent Work for All through capacity development services. He manages the global portfolio of training and learning activities of the organization and personally delivers high-level leadership training and strategy advisory services to senior executives from International Organizations, Governments and training institutes.

Srinivas B Reddy est Chef du service des Compétences et de l'employabilité à l'OIT Genève depuis janvier 2018. Il a rejoint l'OIT en 2000. Avant d'occuper ce poste au siège de l'OIT, il a été directeur de pays du Bureau de l'OIT au Bangladesh de 2013 à 2017. M. Reddy a précédemment été conseiller principal en matière d'enseignement et de formation techniques et professionnels et spécialiste du développement des compétences et a travaillé dans les bureaux extérieurs de l'OIT en Inde, en Indonésie et au Bangladesh. La carrière professionnelle de M. Reddy dans le domaine des relations industrielles, du développement des compétences et de la gestion générale s'étend sur plus de 30 ans. Au cours de sa carrière, il s'est spécialisé dans la promotion du tripartisme et du dialogue social, avec un intérêt particulier pour le développement des compétences et les chaînes d'approvisionnement mondiales.

Mia Seppo joined ILO on 1 February 2023 as the Assistant Director-General for the Jobs and Social Protection Cluster.

Mia has over 20 years of experience with the UN, serving in progressively responsible positions both in the field and in Headquarters. Her field assignments include Tajikistan, Sierra Leone, Malawi, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. During her long UN career, Mia has worked in post-conflict and peace-keeping contexts, managed UN support for complex elections and coordinated humanitarian crises and responses.

Prior to joining the UN, Mia worked for civil society and think tanks, including the Finnish Committee for European Security.

Luc Triangle was appointed ITUC Acting General Secretary in April 2023.

Luc’s trade union work began in 1982 in the young workers’ organisation of the Belgian ACV-CSC Trade Union Confederation.

From 1984 – 2011, he worked on many different projects at the ACV-CSC, which included support for young workers, Director of the training centre and in European and international work.

In 2011, Luc was elected as General Secretary of the European Trade Union Federation for Textiles, Clothing and Leather (ETUF-TCL).

He was elected as Deputy General Secretary of IndustriAll European Trade Union in 2012, and then General Secretary in 2016, with a re-election in 2021.

IndustriAll European is a federation of independent and democratic trade unions representing manual and non-manual workers in the metal, chemical, energy, mining, textile, clothing and footwear sectors and related industries and activities.

Kathryn Rowan has been the Executive Director of Global Apprenticeship Network (GAN), based in Geneva, Switzerland, since September 1st, 2023. 

Prior to GAN, she held various roles with Nestlé both in Canada and at global Headquarters in Switzerland. Most recently, she served as Vice President, Human Resources for Zone LATAM and Global Youth Lead. As a passionate advocate for youth and work-based learning opportunities, Kathryn was Secretary of the Global Alliance for Youth, a business-driven organization supporting youth development and skilling, founded in 2018 and has been actively involved in the GAN as Chair of its Steering Committee for the last six years. 

With a passion for developing people, Kathryn served as Vice President, Human Resources for Zone Americas, as well as Global Head of Talent & Organizational Development. She started her Nestlé career in Canada where she served as Vice President Corporate Affairs and subsequently, Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Corporate Affairs. 

Before joining Nestlé, Kathryn worked for the Food and Consumer Products of Canada industry association, as Vice President, responsible for Human Resources, Environment & Dairy policy and programs. In this capacity, she also served as Executive Director of the Canadian Grocery Products Council, a labor-management organization focused on sectoral skills development.  

Kathryn is a graduate of the Institute of Management Development High Performance Board Program. 

Mr Eriksson is a skilled electrician after three years of education with both off-the-job and on-job training, and one year of quality apprenticeship program. Today I work full time for the Swedish Electrician Union were one of my tasks is being the International Secretary for the union and responsible for all the union international affairs and negotiations.

Works closely with Global Union Federation, BWI mainly on matters regarding health and safety. Where I was a member of BWI inspection team both in Russia and Qatar before the World cup in 2018 and 2022. Was also a member of the team from LO Sweden during the ILC, both 2022 and 2023 and part of the committee that negotiated the new recommendation on Quality Apprenticeship, R208.

Dr Peta Skujins is the Senior Policy and Insights manager at the Apprenticeship Employment Network in Victoria, Australia, and works on the implementation of GAN Australia. In this role she the conducts research and analysis of trends and best practice in VET and Australian Apprenticeships, and develops policy briefs and reports.

Before joining AEN, Peta was the Director of the Australian Apprenticeships and Traineeships Information Service, a government funded organisation that supported the skills sector as a hub of apprenticeships information. She has a background in research, with a PhD in psychology and experience with the National Centre of Vocational Education Research. Her interests include transitions between compulsory education and employment including career decision-making, and understanding the ways in which employers make hiring decisions.

Christine von Harrach is a master of economics and a thematic expert at the DC dVET, focusing on knowledge transfer in dual vocational education and training (dVET) developments. With over six years of experience in the field of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Indonesia, she has contributed significantly to SECO and BMZ-funded projects. Her expertise is further enriched by her long-term field experiences  for a GIZ project in the East African Community and for a GIZ business management project in Bangladesh. Her role at DC dVET involves applying her extensive knowledge and practical insights to enhance project implementation, contributing in the realm of international development and vocational training.

Ilona Medrikat is a Senior Technical Advisor at the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) in the area of International Advisory Services /Cooperation with Partner Institutions. Since 2012, she has coordinated numerous international VET projects in Latin America, Europe and Asia. Her expertise, drawn from her background in the German dual VET system, includes topics such as quality in VET in relation to the different levers of the VET system. Since 2021, she accompanies the Alliance for Dual VET in Latin America and the Caribbean in the coordination group, together with ILO/Cinterfor. She holds a Master's degree in Political Science (University of Leipzig) and in International Education Management (Universities of Helwan/Ludwigsburg).

Cecilia Pugliese works as a Technical Officer at the ILO Skills Branch since October 2022. Her main areas of work are apprenticeships and core skills.

Prior to that, she worked as a Project Officer at the European Labour Authority, where she coordinated an EU-level training programme for employment consultants and supported the management of the European Network of Employment Services (EURES). She has also worked as a consultant for the European Commission’s Directorate General for Employment and Social Affairs, mainly in the framework of policy evaluation projects - in particular for the evaluation of the European Social Fund support to employment and labour mobility. She holds a Bsc and Msc in Economics and Social Sciences from Bocconi University in Milan.

Patrick Daru is the Team Lead on Skills Delivery of the ILO Skills and Employability Branch. He was until 2020 the ILO Senior Skills and Employability Specialist for the Regional Office for Arab States, for more than eight years, and the Country Coordinator for Jordan for over four years. He previously managed the largest ILO project on youth employment in the Asia-Pacific region. In the early 2000’s, he managed two ILO regional projects on forced labour in South Asia and child labour in Eastern Europe, aiming at increasing the capabilities of at-risk populations. For 10 years before joining the ILO, he managed large scale projects related to forced displacement in former Yugoslavia, the great lakes region, and the Commonwealth of Independent States, with a strong focus on skills development. He has contributed to and coordinated the publication of numerous ILO research papers and manuals.

Eleonora Gonnelli is Associate Programme Officer at the Employers’ Activities Programme at the ITCILO. Eleonora was born in Florence in 1997 and graduated cum laude in International Relations at LUISS Guido Carli University, in 2022. She previously did an internship at the European Labour Authority and at the ITCILO, gaining an extensive knowledge of the challenges affecting today’s labour market. With the experiences at the Permanent Mission of Italy to the UN, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister's Office of the Italian Government, she enhanced her diplomatic, analytical and communication skills. With a previous degree in linguistic and cultural mediation and several Erasmus experiences abroad, especially in London and Geneva, she speaks English, French, Spanish, Italian and some Chinese.