Combining work and learning in the informal economy: Implications for education, training and skills development

Although education is identified as a key determinant of economics development and poverty eradication, this relationship is only possible when educationist are able to provide a comprehensive picture of the educational process in working life. In this paper it is argued that if systems of education are training are to cater to both the formal and the informal labour markets, then they need to take into account the traditions and values of the system of vocational learning in working life, cater to the requirement of local development and be based on an understanding of the kinds of competencies people in the informal economy want, need and utilize, the socio-economic and cultural contexts within they work, and how they cope and sustain their livelihood strategies.