Virtual conference on ‘Innovation in TVET'

Moderated by Jan Peter G. de Otero

• When 25 February to 1 March 2019
• Where UNESCO-UNEVOC TVeT Forum
• Language English
• Download the background note

UNESCO-UNEVOC’s 2018 Global Learning Forum on ‘Managing skills in a time of disruption’ put the spotlight on the impact that changes in climate, demography and technology have on the labour market. The transition to a green economy, the implementation of digital technologies in the world of work and the emergence of new forms of entrepreneurship are not only changing the profile of jobs but also creating new possibilities for solutions to social and economic problems in the form of innovation.

These changes represent a great challenge to technical and vocational education and training (TVET) systems, driving them to improve their capacity to adapt to the future demand of skills.

Current developments suggest that many types of innovative practices have already been deployed in TVET systems all over the world. However, despite international recognition of the important role that innovative practices can play to transform TVET, literature on the topic of innovation in TVET remains limited.

In order to provide a better understanding of this topic, this virtual conference explored the meaning of innovation in the TVET sector and its implications. It offered the opportunity for TVET stakeholders to share experiences, discuss the different roles of TVET in systems of innovation, the use of innovative approaches to improve the quality of TVET, as well as identifying the main barriers for innovation in TVET.

Outcomes

The virtual conference enabled participants to:

• Describe different types of innovation and recognize the potentially positive and negative impacts of innovations in the economy and society;
• Recognize innovation in TVET from four dimensions: products and services, processes, organizational practice, and external relations;
• Appreciate the internal and external perspectives of innovation in TVET;
• Identify the different roles of TVET in processes of innovation development;
• Understand different uses of innovations in ICTs and TVET management to the quality of TVET;
• Understand the main barriers for innovation in TVET.

Structure and sequencing

The virtual conference mainly discussed five topics:

• Monday, 25 February - What is innovation in TVET? Why is innovation in TVET important?
• Tuesday, 26 February - What are the roles of TVET systems in the local and national dynamics of innovation development?
• Wednesday, 27 February - How can innovations in ICT help to improve the quality of TVET?
• Thursday, 28 February - How can innovations in TVET management help to improve the quality of TVET?
• Friday, 01 March - What are the main barriers to innovation in TVET?