CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

Among other relevant outputs, the first two years of the project resulted in a three-volume publication that examined how to identify, integrate and implement new qualifications and competencies for future-oriented TVET. The BILT project refers to this as the Three Is process. These volumes cater to the diverse needs of TVET-related institutions and offer a database of experiences and lessons from across the world.

Many of the presenters’ key messages about the fundamentals and challenges of creating a future-oriented TVET system re-emerged in different sessions of the conference.

• Evidence-based policymaking needs good data. Real-time information about labour market trends and job vacancies is making forecasting easier but these data should be combined with stakeholder engagement in research and analysis to deliver the best results. Moreover, policies need also to build in flexibility to allow people on the ground to tailor national guidelines to local conditions.
• Collaboration is key to futureproofing TVET. Industry partners have much to offer to make training relevant to the workplace. Their involvement should be not simply as customers of the system but as partners in training. Good data about the returns on investment in training can encourage employers to participate in apprenticeship schemes and in innovative learning delivery such as simulations and virtual reality platforms.
• TVET providers are at the frontline of implementing new qualifications and competencies. They need training and professional development to be able to deliver digital and green skills. This takes time and money.

It was also pointed out that qualifications frameworks as well as training approaches must respond to the increased mobility of labour, which demands fresh thinking about how to recognize prior learning and issue portable credentials. Nor can workers in the informal sector be left behind in a digital and greening world.

It is not just about jobs. Future TVET programmes should aim to help all learners adapt to new societal trends and become active citizens. TVET has the potential to contribute to greater equality by helping to bridge the digital and gender divides and foster more inclusive societies.

Thanks to continuing funding from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, or BMBF, the BILT project is now entering its third phase, where the dual transition of greening and digitalization of societies and economies will be the guiding theme. The BILT Agenda 2025 will further build partnerships among UNEVOC Centres and other interested TVET stakeholders from Europe, Africa, and Asia-Pacific.

TVET providers spearhead the Three Is process, yet their voices are not always as loud as other stakeholders. To drive the agenda forward, they need help. Therefore, the first concrete action in response to their demands is to turn the findings from the volume dedicated to TVET providers and alike into a self-reflection tool to assess how prepared these institutions are to contribute to the Three Is process. This initiative will be conducted with institutions from across the globe, which are the key to unlock the full TVET potential.

2022 will be another busy year!

Blue room: Macro level
“TVET Governance: steering collective action”
Host: Mr Phil Loveder, National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), Australia
Practice example: Mr Roland Loeffler, Project Manager, Austrian Institute for Vocational Education Research (öibf), Austria

Orange room: Meso level
“TVET Advocacy: ensuring multi-stakeholder participation”
Host: Mr Matteo Sgarzi, Head of Mission, International Relations, Centre for Studies and Research on Qualifications (Céreq), France
Practice examples: Ms Lina Vaitkute, Qualifications and Vocational Education and Training Development Centre (KPMPC), Lithuania

Ms Isabel Gamurot, Chief TESD Specialist Competency Standard Development Division (CSDD) Qualifications and Standards Office (QSO), TESDA, Philippines

Ms Agnes Panem, Chief TESD Specialist Curriculum and Training Aids Development Division (CTADD) National Institute for Technical Education and Skills Development (NITESD), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Philippines

Green room: Micro level
“TVET Delivery: providing innovative solutions”
Hosts: Ms Kelly Shiohira, Specialist Manager, and Mr James Keevy, Chief Executive, JET Educational Services, South Africa
Practice example: Ms Christina Hong, President, Technological and Higher Education Institute (THEi), Hong Kong, China

Panel discussion - Champions for TVET: Bringing together Social Partners’ perspectives on new qualifications and competencies
The role of social partners for building strong and modern TVET systems, and their view on new qualifications and competencies and on the findings of the publication.

Moderator: Ms Ellah Matshediso, HRDC, Botswana

Speakers:

• Mr Edwin Anisha, Director of Research, Planning and Curriculum Development, Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Nigeria
• Ms Nazrene Mannie, Executive Director, Global Apprenticeship Network (GAN)
• Mr Marlon Miña, Executive Director, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Human Resources Development Foundation (PCCI HRDF), Philippines
• Ms Antonia Wulff, Director of Research, Policy and Advocacy, Education International

International Roadshow “Digital Media in TVET”

International practice examples for technology-enhanced learning in TVET

Live presentation of digital learning applications that demonstrate possible uses of immersive technologies in combination with suitable pedagogical approaches for teaching and learning in TVET.

Moderator: Ms Eva Hanau, Senior Technical Advisor, Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), Germany

Welcome remarks

• Ms Birgit Thomann, Department Head “VET International”, Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), Germany

Virtual & Augmented Reality Learning – Transforming Training in Lift Repair & Maintenance

• Mr George Lau Hing Keung, Assistant Executive Director, Vocational Training Council (VTC), Hong Kong, China

Keynote: The dual transition ‘Greening and Digitalization’ as a priority for TVET

• Mr Borhene Chakroun, Director, Division for Policies and Lifelong Learning Systems, UNESCO Education Sector
• Ms Barbara Ofstad, People & Organization, Industrial Relations & Employment Conditions, Siemens Professional Education

BILT Agenda 2025: An agenda for innovative TVET

BMBF, BIBB and UNESCO-UNEVOC will present the BILT Agenda 2022-2025 and invite UNEVOC Centres to comment

• Mr Oliver Diehl, Deputy Head of Division 'Innovation in Vocational Training', Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), Germany
• Ms Sarah Elson-Rogers, Team Leader for Innovation and the Future of TVET, UNESCO-UNEVOC
• Mr Michael Wiechert, Head of Division ‘International Advisory Services’, Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), Germany

Panel discussion: The Future of TVET and the BILT themes
Building on the BILT agenda 2025 and based on the results of recent research initiatives on the future of TVET, the speakers will explore what issues and questions will be high up on the TVET agenda during the upcoming years. Special attention will be paid to the need for new qualifications and competencies for greening and digitalization.

Moderator: Mr Matteo Sgarzi, Céreq, France

Speakers:

• Stephanie Allais, Director of the Centre for Researching Education and Labour at the School of Education of the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
• Mr Jens Bjørnåvold, Senior expert, European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop)
• Mr Basheerhamad Shadrach, BILT research consultant for Asia, India
• Ms Marieke Vandeweyer, Senior Policy Analyst, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)