Stakeholder Consultation Workshop on Skills Development Strategy and Quality Assurance Framework.

UNESCO Project “Skills Development for Employability in Rural Areas of Uzbekistan” funded by the European Union has been developing the National Skills Development Strategy and Quality Assurance Framework, as an activity of supporting the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) governance. A consultation to present the draft National Skills Development strategy, draft Quality Assurance Framework and the Training Providers’ quality approach to high-level officials from the relevant Ministries was organized. Representatives from Ministry Higher and Secondary Specialized Education, Agriculture, Water resources, Employment and Labor Relations, State Inspection for Supervision of Quality in Education, the European Union Delegation and other Development agencies, as well as project stakeholders participated at the event.

Head of Department at the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education, Mr. O’tkir Alijonov stated that “H.E. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has replaced the previous vocational colleges with a completely new system based on international standards, a network of professional educational institutions that reflect the principles of “lifelong learning” on the basis of differentiated educational programs. Today, more than 400,000 people of all ages, women and the unemployed are trained in this system. Working with international experts to develop the system of professional education and ensure the quality of education in accordance with specific strategies and goals for the formation of the necessary skills and professionalism among young people will play an important role in fulfilling the tasks set by the President. Together with UNESCO and other partners with extensive experience in this field, we are working to take our work to a new level in the development of professional skills and vocational education based on the National Qualifications Framework being introduced in Uzbekistan. We want to reform education in line with international best practices”.

Head of Office and UNESCO Representative a.i. Mr. Alexandros Makarigakis in his welcoming speech said that: “A comprehensive, national TVET strategy for Uzbekistan, supported by the EU financed project, “Skills Development for Employability in rural areas of Uzbekistan”, will become the cornerstone for a modernized and effective TVET education system that contributes significantly to the alleviation of important social and economic challenges, especially in rural areas of the country. UNESCO, as the mandated member of the United Nations family to support national initiatives that strengthen the TVET educational system, is proud to support the national efforts and grateful to the European Union for their generous support”.