Shaping the Future: Promoting Quality Work-Based Learning in Latin America
Shaping the Future was a regional live and online event held in June–July 2021, organised by GAN Global in collaboration with GAN Argentina and the Unión Industrial Argentina (UIA). The event promoted dialogue, knowledge exchange and good practices on quality work-based learning and apprenticeships across Latin America.
Timeline
2021
Partners & funders
GAN Argentina
Partner
Unión Industrial Argentina (UIA)
Partner
GAN Global
Lead
United States Department of Labor (USDOL)
Funder
The challenge
Across Latin America, the adoption of quality work-based learning and apprenticeship programmes faces structural barriers, including limited evidence on return on investment, weak policy frameworks, insufficient employer engagement, and a lack of shared understanding of the skills required in changing labour markets. These challenges particularly affect young people, especially those in vulnerable situations, who struggle to access quality employment pathways. The initiative responded to the need for a regional space to exchange evidence, policies and practices that support effective, inclusive and sustainable work-based learning systems.
What we did
Shaping the future was designed as a three-day regional event (29–30 June and 1 July 2021), held in Buenos Aires and streamed live across the region. The event brought together more than 20 national and international speakers through panels, interviews, live and pre-recorded sessions, and inspirational talks.
The programme facilitated discussion on key themes such as: return on investment (ROI) in work-based learning programmes; socio-emotional and transversal skills for success in learning and work environments; and the role of emerging technologies in education and training. It also provided a platform to present GAN approaches to quality apprenticeships, policy and legislative frameworks supporting work-based learning, employer-led HR practices, research and evaluation findings, and national and regional experiences.
The event was part of a broader GAN project promoting work-based learning as a pathway to youth employment in Argentina, Costa Rica and Kenya, funded by the United States Department of Labor (USDOL).
Outcomes
The event strengthened regional dialogue on quality work-based learning and apprenticeships, increasing awareness of their value among employers, policymakers and practitioners. It contributed to debunking myths around ROI, highlighted evidence-based practices, and fostered knowledge exchange across countries and sectors.
By bringing together private sector representatives, government officials, academics, international organisations (including the International Labour Organization and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), civil society actors and youth, the initiative reinforced regional networks and laid the groundwork for future collaboration. The event also positioned GAN networks as key platforms for advancing quality apprenticeships and dual training initiatives in Latin America.
Evidence & Outputs
Videos
Shaping the Future
