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Conceptualising Regional Skills Ecosystems: Reflections on Four African Cases

Wedekind, Volker; Russon, Jo-Anna; Ramsarup, Presha; Monk, David; Metelerkamp, Luke; McGrath, Simon

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Authors

Presha Ramsarup

David Monk

Luke Metelerkamp

Simon McGrath



Abstract

In this article we address the debate on regional skills formation systems in Africa. We draw on the social ecosystems model (SEM) developed by Hodgson and Spours to analyse data from four case studies that reflect the complexities of African economies, rural and urban, formal and informal. The SEM model helps us focus on the three dimensions of a strong skills ecosystem: collaboration between a range of actors, key institutions and system leaders within the region (the horizontal); top-down policies, regulations, and funding streams that enable or constrain the regional skills ecosystem (the vertical); and the points where these two interact, often through mediation activities. In the case of the last of these three, our cases point to the importance of nurturing organisations which can provide SEM leadership, particularly in more fragile ecosystems. Yet, in none of the cases, are public vocational institutions playing the strong anchor role envisaged in the model. The significance of the paper lies in three ways it develops the SEM in relation to regional skills ecosystems. First, we problematise the notion of a facilitatory state and place it within wider national and global webs of power. Second, we insist that the local or regional is always embedded in and networked into myriad national and international levels. This requires a more complex understanding of how social skills ecosystems operate. Third, the notion of an anchor institution requires further elaboration. In most social ecosystems these institutions need to be built or strengthened and a clearer understanding is required of the processes of institutionalisation and what mechanisms make it possible to build this capacity and sustain it over time.

Citation

Wedekind, V., Russon, J., Ramsarup, P., Monk, D., Metelerkamp, L., & McGrath, S. (2021). Conceptualising Regional Skills Ecosystems: Reflections on Four African Cases. International Journal of Training and Development, 25(4), 347-362. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijtd.12251

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Oct 20, 2021
Online Publication Date Nov 22, 2021
Publication Date 2021-12
Deposit Date Nov 12, 2021
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal International Journal of Training and Development
Print ISSN 1360-3736
Electronic ISSN 1468-2419
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 25
Issue 4
Pages 347-362
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/ijtd.12251
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/6680932
Publisher URL https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ijtd.12251

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