UNESCO-UNEVOC has launched the Skills in Action Award for the first time and is most pleased with the reception of this award in the TVET community. We received numerous submissions from every region in the world and learned not only of people’s experiences with TVET but also about their lives. We are very impressed by the stories submitted and are proud to share a selection on our website to demonstrate how TVET can change lives and whole communities for the better.

The Skills in Action Award is awarded to individuals who inspire others and who have acted as ambassadors for technical and vocational education and training in their community.

Choosing three winners out of the submitted proposals was challenging. After careful consideration of all stories, our panel of experts came to the following decision:

The 3rd prize is awarded to Mr Steven Jeffrey from Australia. Steven, still being an apprentice, offered his skills and volunteered to work in developing countries – and demonstrated how this experience did not only benefit other people, but developed him as an individual – and made him gain new skills and different techniques. TVET does take you many places!

The 2nd prize is awarded to Ms Asma Ahmad Sheikh from Pakistan. Asma shared how she had to struggle to convince her family and community that she, as a young woman, should receive TVET – now, as she is in the place to assist others, her whole village is a beneficiary – TVET changed not only her life to the better.

The 1st prize is awarded to Ms Alia Wedderburn from Jamaica. Alia is a beauty services practitioner and demonstrates how far TVET can take a young person – how one can use and express creative and scientific skills, further build up one’s education, be inventive, and use TVET to bring about change – please read her story yourself!

UNESCO-UNEVOC would like to thank all participants of the skills in action award for their contribution and congratulate the three winners on their success.