WorldSkills 2024: Insights on Gender Equity and Youth Empowerment in Skills Development

GAN Global was proud to serve as a Coalition Partner of the 2024 WorldSkills Conference in Lyon, France, a major global convening on the future of skills, youth employment, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

Our Executive Director, Kathryn Rowan, moderated a high-level session on Gender Equity in TVET, featuring insights from long-standing GAN partners L’Oréal and the OECD. The discussion highlighted practical policy levers and employer strategies to close gender gaps in skills development and ensure women have equal access to high-quality training and career opportunities.

Demonstrating GAN’s commitment to fostering inclusive and industry-led training ecosystems, The Adecco Group joined a session on increasing women’s participation in STEM fields, while GAN Australia presented its innovative Quality Apprenticeships Accreditation model, a tool that helps employers strengthen and benchmark apprenticeship program excellence.

Key takeaways from the conference reinforced that:

• Diversity in skills training is a competitive advantage, not just an equity goal.
• Apprenticeships and work-based learning remain essential tools for developing future-ready talent.
• Strong collaboration between employers, governments, and training institutions is critical to supporting inclusive and resilient skills systems.

For more insights, read Kathryn Rowan’s full reflection on FE News and relive the highlights of the 2024 WorldSkills Conference.