SDGs and Greening TVET

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were formally accepted by the United Nations in September 2015 as a global framework for achieving an integrated sustainable development model for 2030 among Member States. Several of the SDG targets can be achieved through quality education (SDG 4), including SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth) and SDG 13 (climate action).

Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) is critical in addressing knowledge and skills challenges to achieving the SDGs. More importantly, TVET can transmit the right mindset and attitude among trainees and the future workforce through well-designed education and training programmes. However, the right policies and skills strategies need to be strengthened to maximize its impact.

Issues and challenges

UNESCO-UNEVOC recognizes several challenges to reaching the SDGs and climate-related plans of action:

• Lack of awareness about sustainability
• Low capacity at the levels of decision making, teaching and implementation in practice
• Shortages in skills resulting in unmet labour market demands
• Unsustainable patterns of consumption and production
• Outdated competencies and qualifications
• Lack of recognition and assessment mechanisms for skills acquired through non-formal and informal learning
• Lack of targeted engagement of key actors including youth, community and enterprises

Strategy

UNESCO-UNEVOC supports TVET institutions in the development and implementation of green strategies to transform their learning and training environments, in fulfilment of their role in skilling learners, upskilling professionals in green job sectors, and re-skilling those affected by job losses due to the transition. By mobilizing TVET Institutions to engage in advocacy and adopt greening TVET practices, UNESCO-UNEVOC helps enable leaders and educators to effectively develop institutional green and climate-responsive strategies that have a positive impact on society and the labour market.

News & activities

15 August 2022
UNESCO-UNEVOC TVET Leadership Programme 2022
The UNESCO-UNEVOC TVET Leadership Programme aims to build the capacity of TVET leaders and professionals from around the world. The 2022 edition focuses on "Re-thinking TVET systems and programmes to anticipate demand, adapt and take action for a just and green transition".

Deadline for applications: 4 September 2022
read more

27 July 2022
Building skills for the green and circular transition
UNESCO-UNEVOC, with the support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), is developing the capacities of TVET teachers and training staff to implement green and circular economy approaches to skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
read more

25 June 2022
Promoting green jobs for the youth of Andohahela, Madagascar
UNESCO is working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Technical Education and Vocational Training of Madagascar (METFP) for the creation of green jobs to tackle youth unemployment and strengthen the protection of Rainforests of the Atsinanana, UNESCO World Natural Heritage site.
read more

10 June 2022
Renewable energies: Let’s build a sustainable future
Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles, in collaboration with the Nergica Collegial Research Centre, organized a webinar on renewable energies and their contribution to a sustainable future for us all. The webinar discussed the importance of producing electricity in a green and sustainable way, as well as its benefits for our planet.

read more

6 April 2022
TVET and climate change action
UNESCO-UNEVOC and Co-leads of the Sustainable Development Goals Affinity Group held a two-hour virtual workshop on the Energy Rapid Overview and Decision Support (En-ROADS) climate change solutions simulator.
read more

24 March 2022
Building TVET resilience for a just and sustainable transition
UNESCO-UNEVOC is launching a year-long project to strengthen the resilience of UNEVOC Centres and other education and training stakeholders as part of the pandemic recovery process. The project is being implemented with the support of the German Federal Government through Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
read more