During the two-day BILT workshop hosted by Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology, nine institutions from eight European countries (Spain, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Malta and Netherlands) presented innovative examples of initiatives that address challenges related to greening TVET.

Tackling TVET challenges related to Greening

Greening TVET is an emerging concept that has gathered momentum in the international community in the past years. This momentum is a reaction to – and is strengthened by – the evident need for change, particularly as the negative impacts of climate change become more apparent. TVET plays an important role in providing knowledge and skills to facilitate the transition to green economies and societies. The UNEVOC Network is at the forefront of promoting greening TVET in Member States, supported by UNESCO-UNEVOC’s Greening Technical and Vocational Education and Training: A Practical Guide for Institutions. The guide proposes approaches to implement a whole-institutional approach to greening TVET institutions, with a focus on greening the campus, curriculum and training, research, communities and workplace, and institutional culture.

The participants to the BILT workshop discussed and analyzed innovative practices from within and outside the UNEVOC Network that deal with current challenges related to

• the growing demand for green skills from the labour market perspective, and
• the impact of integrating green skills into the curriculum.

For each presented example, participants were able to discuss the added value of the approaches, their impact on curriculum and standards, and their transferability to other countries. These examples will inform further activities within the UNEVOC Network, both within Europe, and in the forthcoming collaboration with Africa, and Asia and the Pacific.

Key findings

Participants agreed on the importance of involving and engaging a wide range of stakeholders in processes that ‘green’ TVET. Co-developing strategies together with students, teachers, parents and management are important to ensure the longevity of activities at the school-level, while the involvement of the private sector and municipalities are important to ensure the relevance and impact of the education and training provided.

The transition to greener economies creates an urgent need to embed sustainability in TVET curricula, training and standards. Participants identified different approaches to doing so, from the integration of transversal skills linked to awareness about climate change, to the identification of specific knowledge and skills applicable to specific sectors. Regardless of the approach, participants agreed that these new competencies needed new pedagogical approaches to teaching that are student-centered. However, such approaches can only be put into action if teachers and trainers are motivated and capable to do so, putting in focus the importance of mechanisms that support TVET teaching personnel.

Participants also recognized the link between digitalization and greening processes. On the one hand, developments in technology are driving the growth of certain sectors, including in renewable technologies. On the other hand, the development of Apps, MOOCs, Open Educational Resources and other technological tools can make education for sustainable development more accessible, in and outside of education and training settings, whether it be in schools, companies or at home.

The workshop on greening TVET was the second of five within the BILT project, which will focus on the thematic areas of Greening, Digitalization/Industry 4.0, Entrepreneurship, Migration, and New Qualifications and Competencies. The BILT project aims to facilitate the exchange of experiences and peer learning across the European UNEVOC Network within these thematic work streams.

For more information on the event, please consult the workshop agenda and participant list.