In May 2012, in Shanghai, the Third International Congress on TVET called for a transformation of the conceptualization, governance, funding and organization of TVET. It also concluded that the 2001 Revised Recommendation concerning Technical and Vocational Education would benefit from revision and updating, to ensure a stronger focus on lifelong learning and to respond to challenges, such as rapid demographic and technological change, youth unemployment and social inequalities, including gender inequality. Since the Congress, TVET has gained traction in international debates about the post-2015 education and development agenda. There is also growing recognition of the important roles TVET plays in in helping young people enter the world of work and in sustainable development.

A draft text of the Recommendation has been prepared with the help of an expert group composed of relevant stakeholders from all world regions. The draft text was also informed by the outcomes of a Special Virtual Conference organized by UNESCO-UNEVOC in April 2014. This attracted 210 participants from 70 countries, including experts from ministries, international organizations, bilateral agencies, NGOs, training agencies and providers.