2021 East and Southeast Asia UNEVOC Network Consolidation Workshop in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)

Promoting policy dialogue and sharing best practices in TVET and Skills Development in Member States is a key aspect of the UNESCO’s global TVET strategy. On September 9, 2021, Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training (KRIVET) hosted the first workshop on TVET development. KRIVET collaborated with the UNESCO International Centre for TVET (UNEVOC) in Bonn, Germany to host the regional knowledge sharing consultation. UNESCO Beijing was invited to participate at the consultation. The second workshop was organized on October 14, with its focus on the transformation of TVET and case studies. The aim of the two workshops was to further enhance the strategic cooperation with the TVET Institutions that are Members of the UNEVOC network in the East and South-East Asia region. The two separate webinars focused the discussions around TVET policies, quality and relevance of TVET, green skills demand, Greening TVET, alignment with SDGs, TVET standards, quality of TVET Teachers, Financing of TVET, reform of TVET to align with needs of labour market, ICT mainstreaming in TVET, good practices and TVET leadership. The participants at these two workshops presented status of TVET in their countries and discussed new thematic areas such as adjusting to the new normal of TVET institutions and adapting to the impact of COVID-19 and discussed alternative strategies such as on-line learning and distance learning: iInnovation, access, equity, inclusion issues in TVET and improving the image of TVET and aligned with the SDG4, SDG8, SDG 9 targets related to TVET and Education 2030 Agenda.

Professor Shahbaz Khan, the Director of UNESCO Beijing office, highlighted in his speech, the impact of COVID-19 on TVET and noted the significance of building a resilient TVET sector to continue to contribute to skills development in all the UNESCO Member States. He reiterated the critical role that UNESCO plays in TVET policy dialogue, capacity development, standards setting and knowledge sharing functions. UNESCO provides extensive support to safeguard young people’s access to quality skill training and empowering young people for self-employment. Mr. Robert Parua, the Programme Specialist for Education of UNESCO Beijing Office, presented jointly with Ms. Kaliunaa, Head of TVET at the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection in Mongolia on the lessons learnt and challenges for the Mongolian experience in the 2019 TVET Policy Review in Mongolia with Key policy Recommendations for the reform of the TVET Sector in Mongolia. He further reiterated and informed the participants about critical importance of all Government must have credible comprehensive TVET Policies and legal framework to improve the quality of TVET programmes. The successful experience in Mongolia had led to the revision of the TVET Law and increased government funding for the TVET Sector in Mongolia.

These two workshops contributed to fruitful exchange of experiences and ideas in reforming TVET aligned with the needs of the labour market. The participants reflected on the future of TVET in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. The UNEVOC participants took the opportunity to consolidate the UNEVOC Network East and Southeast Asia countries. It also raised awareness on the important role of TVET to achieving the sustainable development goals by 2030. The participants acknowledge the significant role of the President of KRIVET and the team and the UNESCO International Centre for TVET (UNEVOC) in Bonn, Germany in organizing the successful two workshops in TVET related thematic areas.