1. SABER: Systems Approach for Better Education Results SABER-Workforce Development
Chile
Maria Cecilia Zanetta
29 May 2012
Washington DC
THE WORLD BANK

2. How has Chile’s WfD system evolved?
Summary: Steady, gradual progress in the development of WfD System between 2000 and 2011 in a manner consistent with Chile’s market economy
Highlights
Incremental improvements in terms of WfD System Strategy and Delivery and Oversight
The establishment of a labor skills certification system was the most notable single achievement
Macro context
Sustained export-led economic growth from the mid-80s onwards, but slowing down
Enhancing labor productivity is a challenge
Persistent income inequality—i.e., Gini coefficient of 0.52 in 2009.
latent > emerging > established > advanced
Strategy
Oversight
Delivery
2000
2011

3. Strategic Framework Close-up: What were the biggest changes?
Growing consensus on WfD system based on lifelong learning as a way to:
Enhance labor productivity
Achieve more equitable growth
What moved the scores?
Sound sector work to inform WfD policies
Progress toward the institutionalization of WfD stakeholder participation
What held back progress?
Lack of a cross-sector WfD perspective
1. Direction
2. Demand-led
3. Coordination
4. Pathways
5. Funding
6. Standards
7. Relevance
8. Excellence
9. Accountability
Strategy
Oversight
Delivery
2000
2011

4. System Oversight Close-up: What were the biggest changes?
Robust legislation is now in place to enhance quality of education at all levels
What moved the scores?
Newly established accreditation system at the post-secondary level
Newly established labor skills certification system
Expanded use of financial incentives to promote WfD objectives (e.g., quality, equity)
What held back progress?
Lack of sustained leadership to promote cross-sector WfD policies, such as vertical and horizontal integration of WfD pathways
1. Direction
2. Demand-led
3. Coordination
4. Pathways
5. Funding
6. Standards
7. Relevance
8. Excellence
9. Accountability
Strategy
Oversight
Delivery
2000
2011

5. Service Delivery Close-up: What were the biggest changes?
Only marginal improvements
WfD Delivery remains an area in need of significant attention
What moved the scores?
Substantial efforts to enhance access to information on WfD outcomes among prospective students and trainees
What held back progress?
Structural disconnect between employers and training content, particularly at the post-secondary level
A stronger emphasis on performance-based M&E is needed in all WfD agencies
1. Direction
2. Demand-led
3. Coordination
4. Pathways
5. Funding
6. Standards
7. Relevance
8. Excellence
9. Accountability
Strategy
Oversight
Delivery
2000
2011

6. What have we learned from Chile’s experience?
Challenges faced
Next generation of policy reforms requires substantial political capital:
Revamping the publicly financed training system
Articulating WfD education and training as well as prior learning to build a true lifelong learning WfD system
More aggressive enforcing of WfD standards, particularly quality
Ensuring relevance of WfD outcomes
Lessons learned
A decentralized, demand-driven WfD system such as Chile’s has many advantages, including an effective allocation of resources, and a diverse universe of private WfD providers
However, imperfect information and other market failures require public sector intervention to ensure, for example, quality WfD outcomes
Also, public sector intervention is also necessary to address structural inequalities in access to quality WfD services