An Analysis of Policy Implementation in the Third World

This text analyzes the process involved in implementing Technical and Vocational Education and Training policies in the countries of Jamaica and The Gambia. It documents a variety of projects and programmes, ranging from those promoting entrepreneurship, or self employment amongst young people, to those more concerned with providing the skills needed for export-led growth. Overall it highlights the complexities surrounding implementation and of the importance of donor agencies in financing TVET developments in both countries. It also illustrates how the use of foreign technical assistance and components obtained from the developed world, combined with the influence of the physical and political infrastructure, were the main reasons why projects or programmes failed to achieve their stated objectives. The study concludes by suggesting a model which can be used by policy makers to help ensure the programmes or projects are more successful at meeting local labour market needs, rather than those of aid agencies or actors within the state apparatus.