TVET Networks – How International and Regional Networks can Contribute to the Development of National TVET Systems

Date:  4 August 2015

Time:  14:30-16:30

Objectives:

• To identify success factors for efficient TVET networks;
• To discuss how to add value to existing national TVET networks; and
• To formulate recommendations for policy makers.

Key questions:

• What are your network’s core activities (e.g. research/consultancy /capacity building/reform support etc.)?
• What are your network’s strategies and achievements/best practices/products that have an impact on actual TVET delivery?
• How can cooperation between international/regional networks and national TVET systems be strengthened at a bilateral level?
• What are your main recommendations to policy makers with respect to regional networks in TVET?

Facilitators: 

• Mr. Thomas Schröder, Technical University of Dortmund, Germany
• Y.Bhg. Prof. Dato’ Dr. Zul Azhar bin Zahid Jamil, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Malaysia

Speakers:

• Mr. Shyamal Majumdar, UNEVOC International Centre for TVET
• Mr. Michel Carton, NORRAG
• Mr. Numyoot Songthanapitak, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, Thailand

Outline:

In many countries of the Asia-Pacific region, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) is a political priority area for balanced social and economic development. Especially those societies that enjoy a dynamic socio-economic development strive to improve and adjust their TVET systems in order to foster a labour force that can meet the demands of their rapidly changing labour markets.

Global competition and its impact on societies is driving a worldwide trend of establishing regional political entities. For example, in Southeast Asia such political entities are ASEAN, ASEAN plus 3 and ASEAN plus 6. Not only are nations establishing regional political structures but also “Communities of Practice” are being established worldwide and in the Asia-Pacific region.

In TVET, such communities include regional networks, associations and inter-governmental organizations. According to its particular objectives, networks may be comprised of individual experts, training providers, research institutes, government bodies and/or universities.

The establishment of regional networks inevitably produces advantages and offers new perspectives as well as challenges, especially with respect to enhancing TVET through generating evidence and disseminating knowledge on procedures and best-practices from a particular region. Members from one region are often facing similar and comparable problems and challenges which is why networks can contribute to innovation and development.

The challenge that remains is to identify existing solutions and to transfer them successfully. Thus, networks can enhance self-reliant development of national TVET systems, TVET organizations and individuals.